James L. Owens, 78, of 44-816 Oro Grande Circle, Indian Wells, CA., died June 1, 2006, in Albuquerque, NM while he and his wife Martha were en route from Illinois back to California.

 

In accordance with his wishes, he will be cremated and his ashed scatttered over the ocean.

 

A memorial service is scheduled for noon on June 7 at the Desert Horizons Country Club ins Indian Wells.

 

He was born May 12, 1928, in Des Moines, Iowa, a son of John and Dorothy Lieb Owens. He married the former Martha Eikenmeyer Cunningham of Minonk. She survives.

 

Also surviving are a daughter Jennifer Owens (Jay Ornellas), Los Angeles; a son, Christopher, Roseburg, OR, two stepsons, Michael (Lisa) Cunningham, El Paso, and Jeremy (Julie) Cunningham, Bloomington, one step-daughter, Meredith Cunningham, Springfield; two brothers, John (Vi) Owens, Escondido, CA, Richard (Pat) Owens, Show Low, AZ; and one sister, Eileen (Davis) Hartlove, Mechanicsville, MD.

 

He was preceded by his parents.

 

Mr. Owens spent much of his early life in Hawaii before the family returned to California in 1941. After high school he spent five years in the US Navy and later graduated from UCLA. He was a CPA  before becoming the original CFO for the Jeffries Co.

 

He served as a member of he Buckley School Board of Trustees, and later as CFO for the World Affairs Council of Desert. He was a member of Sacred Heart Church, Palm desert.

 

Mr. Owens was an avid fan of the UCLA sports teams. He enjoyed travel, golf, his family, and friends.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks contributions be made to the Anderson Fund of the UCLA Anderson school of Management.