Marshall "Dickie" Richard Owens, Jr.

Marshall Richard Owens Jr., known throughout life as Dickie but also lovingly known by family as Dahdah and DaddiO of Elizabeth City, NC peacefully passed away at 85 years old, on April 27, 2026 at Elizabeth City Health and Rehabilitation, Elizabeth City, NC with family by his side.

Dickie was born in Pasquotank County, NC, December 27, 1940, the son of the late Marshall Richard Owens Sr. and Reba Harrell Owens. Moving to Hertford, NC in the 1940s Dickie absolutely loved growing up on the Perquimans River in Hertford in the 1950s. As a teenager he kept a paper route and helped his father in a small country store called Marshall’s, “The biggest LITTLE business in town.”

Graduating from Perquimans County High School in 1959, Dickie moved to Washington DC to work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a Fingerprintist. He married in 1961 and started a family, moving back to Hertford in 1962, he briefly worked as a helicopter mechanic at the US Coast Guard base in Elizabeth City before starting his career work as a US Navy A-6A Intruder jet mechanic at the Naval Air Rework Facility, Norfolk Naval Air Station (NAS), VA, retiring in 1993. Not one to sit still in retirement, he worked at Jim Ward’s Dixie Auto Parts in Elizabeth City for many years.

Dickie married Millicent Sawyer on February 16, 1980, spending the next 46 years together enjoying their blended family as well as very close friends they were blessed to have in fellowship. Dickie and Millicent could be found with those friends every morning gathering for breakfast at the Colonial, Circle II or Hardee’s. He was always ready for a Pepsi and conversation.

While working as an Examiner on A6As for the US Navy Dickie had the opportunity to travel places like Marine Corps Air Station in Cherry Point NC, NAS Whidbey Island WA, NAS Astugi Japan, and even to an aircraft carrier stationed on the Atlantic Ocean. Dickie and Millicent traveled to Arizona where they visited Tombstone and saw the infamous OK Coral. They also visited family in Hawaii, sightseeing the island of Oahu and touring Pearl Harbor, including the extraordinary USS Arizona Memorial.

Dickie had many interests. He took his young boys on many memorable boating and fishing trips and roller skating at the local rink on the weekends. A cowboy at heart, Dickie was a crack shot in the Single Action Shooting Club in Perquimans County, where members wore western attire and shot metal targets. When he needed a nickname, members told him his real name was a natural fit, “Marshall.” He had a 1930 Model T that he liked to drive in parades. A lover of German Shepherd dogs he raised several over the years with Sasha being his favorite.

Dickie was a loving father, grandfather & husband, and enjoyed many years with his family, and the love of his life right beside him. He was a great example of a father figure to his grandsons Kameron & Cole whose father passed away. When his great granddaughter Amelia Psalm was born she quickly became the apple of his eye and he spent the last 10 months enjoying every moment he had with her. He loved playing patty cake and pee-a-boo with her and giving her a “head butt” to say goodbye.

In addition to his parents Dickie was predeceased in life by his sister Joyce Faye Owens and is survived by another sister, Becky Owens Latham of Cary, NC. Dickie is also survived by his loving wife Millicent, her two daughters and their families: Kim Leis (Chris) Kristie Sawyer. Grandson Kameron (Janet & their daughter Amelia Psalm) Cole (Kyla & grandson Wyhatt) and three sons from his first marriage and their families: Stacy and Mary Owens of Hertford, NC; Darryl and Maria Owens of Gig Harbor, WA; and Rick and Kim Owens of Clayton, NC. Together Dickie and Millicent shared 9 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren with another due anytime.

Dickie was immensely loved by his family and friends and we all take comfort in knowing he was delivered into the loving arms of the Father.

A service will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday, May 4, 2026 at Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home in Hertford, the family will receive visitors from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Burial will be private.