Ricky Allen Owens

Ricky Allen Owens, 72, passed from this life on January 31, 2025, at Jane Phillips Nowata Health Center. 

Ricky was born on June 2, 1952, in Greenfield, MO to Imogene Elios Owens and Floyd Reeves. He lived and attended school in the Missouri area through the 6th grade. His family then moved to Nowata, OK where he started school in the 7th grade and later graduated from Nowata High School in 1971. His classmates referred to him as "Moose" he enjoyed cars, new dances and soul music. Ricky was a starting guard on the basketball team, he was a good left- handed pitcher on the baseball team and a member of the Vocational Industrial Club of America (VICA), which helped him prepare for a lifelong career in a technical, skilled service occupation. 

After high school, he met Janet Mayhew, the love of his life and the two were married and have spent over 50 years together. Ricky helped raise Janet's three children, Tracy, Kevin and Steven "BB". He made sure they were always taken care of. Ricky had one biological child, a daughter, Bernice Stamford, whom he was very proud of. 

Later he and Janet raised several grandchildren and great grands as well. PaPa Ricky had a soft spot in his heart for his grandchildren. Always referring to them as "Granny” including his niece, Karena. He even kept the twin's teeth they pulled all these years, they are now 27. 

Ricky worked as a laborer for Public Service Company (PSO) for over 25 years. Over the years, he earned many recognition awards for years of service and dedication to the company. He later retired in 2009. 

In his younger years, Ricky could be found hanging out "under the tree" with Leon Tilmon, Donnie Curtis, Bill Walker, Greg Peace, Larry Mayhew, Leroy Dennis, "Preacher" Lynch, Corky Caliman, Delbert "Delco" Gibson and Bud Martin. His friends gave him several nicknames "Slick Rick”, “Big O❞ and "Rick-O". He loved watching any sport you could name on television, even hockey. Ricky was an avid music lover and enjoyed blues, jazz and country music. When "BB" was a young child, he remembered one of his favorite artists, Johnnie Taylor, was always playing in the car. His good friend, Curvie 

Hawkins, from Texas, would mail him cassettes and C.D.'s of the latest trending music. 

Known for snacking late at night, he would wake up half the house with his squeaky house shoes on his way to the kitchen. He loved his sweets especially if they had nuts, but his favorite was popping popcorn or eating potato chips with Louisiana Hot Sauce. 

Ricky was stubborn but sweet, although you would never win an argument with him even when he was wrong, but he met his match when it came to his baby sister "Midge" He also looked forward to his visits with his brother, Jimmie Hailey. Jimmie referred to him as “Big Brother” Ricky also loved to write, mostly having a quirky habit of labeling everything ranging from remotes, radios and just about every piece of mail he ever received. 

Ricky is survived by his wife, Janet Owens of Nowata, OK, daughter Bernice (Darren) Stamford of Panama City, Panama, sons Kevin Mayhew of Nowata, OK, Steven (Nicci) Mayhew of Oologah, OK, sisters Karen "Midge" Owens of Nowata, OK and Annie Matthews of St. Louis, MO, brothers Jimmie Hailey of Nowata, OK. 14 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grands, one niece, Karena Jennings of Nowata, OK and two nephews Micheal Reeves of Nowata, OK and Robert (Ben) Reeves of Bartlesville, OK 

Preceding Ricky in death are his mother Imogene Owens, father Floyd Reeves, maternal grandparents Ernest and Viola Owens, daughter Tracy Mayhew, brother Curtis Reeves and uncle James Reeves. 

The family will receive friends Thursday, February 6th, 2025 from 5:00-7:00 P.M. in the Benjamin Funeral Service Chapel. A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, February 7th, 2025 at 1:00 P.M. in the Benjamin Funeral Service Chapel with Pastor John Martin and Deacon Garry Gibson officiating.

Online condolences may be made at www.honoringmemoriesnowata.com or on the funeral home Facebook page. Arrangements are in the care of Benjamin Funeral Service of Nowata.