Thomas Wayne Owens

Roebuck, SC – Thomas Wayne Owens, 76, husband of Martha Wright Owens, passed away on January 20th, 2024 at the Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home. Tom was born in Union, South Carolina to the late Vivian Burgess and Clyde Thomas Owens. Tom was a graduate of Dorman High School, and went on to attend Spartanburg Junior College, Middle Tennessee State University, and Gardner Webb University. Before his collegiate baseball career at Spartanburg Junior College and MTSU, Tom proudly joined the United States Air Force during which he served as Security Police in the Vietnam War with a rank of E-4 Buck Sargent. Tom spent 34 years of his life teaching, coaching, and mentoring young people. He served as Spartanburg’s American Legion Head Baseball Coach from 1973-1975. He was a teacher, an assistant football coach, and head baseball coach at Dorman High School from 1976-1999, at York High School from 2000-2001, and Gaffney High School from 2001-2011. During his coaching career, he earned multiple awards including South Carolina High School Baseball Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 1991 and 1997 (Dorman High School), South Carolina High School League Region II4A Baseball Coach of the Year in 1991 (Dorman High School), chosen as a North/South Allstar Baseball Game Assistant Coach in 1992 (Dorman High School), Region II4A Baseball Coach of the Year in 1997 and 1999 (Dorman High School), named the South Carolina Baseball Coaches Association North/South Allstar Head Coach in 2003 (Gaffney High School), Region III4A Baseball Coach of the Year in 2006 (Gaffney High School), and was chosen to be North/South Allstar Football Game Assistant Coach in 2008 (Gaffney High School). Tom had a passion for mentoring young men beyond the football field or baseball diamond. He instilled his strong work ethic and “finish the task” attitude into his own children. In his eyes, every high and every low was a learning experience. After Tom retired in 2011, he enjoyed passing along his love for sports to his grandchildren. You could often find him on the sidelines or in the bleachers cheering on his “babies,” always with a bag of popcorn in his hand. Tom also loved the Atlanta Braves, Clemson Football, crappie fishing, collecting baseball cards, and the home cooking and friends at the Mustard Seed BBQ and Bronco’s Mexican restaurants. In addition to his wife Marty, Tom is survived by his daughter; Brooke Owens Parris (Jeremy), his two sons; Drew Owens (Melissa) and Ross Owens (Stacey). Tom is also survived by his grandchildren; Greyson Parris, Addy Parris, Logan Owens, Tanner Owens, Avery Owens, Emery Owens, and Asher Owens. Additionally, Tom leaves behind his best friend of 66 years, Elton Strickland, to continue Tuesday lunch dates at Wade’s and bad jokes. Tom is preceded in death by his sisters; Debi Peeler and Sandi Blanchard whom he has missed so much. A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 25th, 2024, from 5-7 P.M., at the J.M. Dunbar Funeral Home. Services will follow on Friday, January 26th, 2024, at Church at The Mill, at 11 A.M. Burial will follow in Heritage Memorial Gardens with Military Honors. The family asks that all of Tom’s fellow teammates, coaches, and former players gather and sit together at the service. Please inform the funeral home staff when you arrive for the service and they will direct you to the appropriate seating. In honor of Tom, memorial contributions may be made to American Legion Spartanburg Post #28, 94 West Park Drive, Spartanburg, SC 29306.