Gaylon 'Lum' Owens

Gaylon “Lum” Owens, 73, a lifelong Kalispell resident and businessman died July 19, 2008, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center surrounded by his loving family.

Gaylon F. Owens was born in Libby, Mont., on Aug. 14, 1934, to James Hill Owens and Rachel Williams Owens.

His grandparents homesteaded in the Silver Butte area. His father drowned while working for the Forest Service when Gaylon was only 2 weeks old. He and his four siblings were then raised by their mother until she married Orville T. Hoover. Two additional children were born to Rachel and Orville. His stepfather, Orville, nicknamed Gaylon and his brother, Dennis, after radio comedians Lum and Abner and the nickname remained throughout his life. Like his nickname, he was truly one of a kind.

Lum attended Kalispell schools and entered the timber industry at the age of 16 as a tail-sawyer in a tie plant. In 1958, with a loan from his mother, he purchased a used Mack log truck and his long and successful career began. Always looking for a challenge he expanded into contract logging in 1967 and road construction in 1973. He formed a partnership with Jim Hurst in 1980 which became Owens & Hurst Lumber Co., followed by a chip hauling business known as Owens & Bray Inc. He also held ownership in Tobacco Valley Lumber, Lone Pine Timber Products, JLJ Chippers, Somers Land Co., and various other businesses. His most recent ventures were in land acquisition and development.

Throughout his lifetime Lum was instrumental in assisting others in the start of many new business ventures. He felt blessed by his success and was always there to assist those he felt needed a helping hand or just to show his love and affection. In 1988, Lum was honored for his contribution to the timber industry by being named Lumberman of the Year. Also, in 1988 he was elected House District 7 representative fighting for reform of the Workers’ Compensation system. He was a past director of the Montana Motor Carriers Association and the Montana Logging Association, past president of the Northwest Montana Hoo Hoo Club and a member of the Elks, Eagles, Moose and various other organizations.

Lum began stock car racing at age 16, taking honors as the “Most Rolled-over Car of the Year” in his early career and going on to win many racing competitions. He became the “Granddaddy of Tri City Speedway” ending racing at the age of 63. He was the first inductee into the Raceway Park Hall of Fame in 1996.

Other hobbies included golf, obtaining a hole-in-one at Village Greens in 2005. Lum also loved playing cards with his Wednesday night card buddies and was always looking for anyone to play a hand. He enjoyed NASCAR and riding dune buggies at his winter home in Yuma, Ariz.

Lum held his family very dear to his heart, as they did him. He loved holidays, hosting many family get-togethers at Christmas and other special occasions. His family will always fondly remember the family picnics, big sledding parties, games of hide-and-go-seek, volleyball and other outdoor activities. These times will never be the same without him.

Lum was preceded in death by his parents; wife Laura Owens; sisters Dorothy Pennoyer and Lynda Marie Hoover; brother Patrick Owens; and nephew Brandan Owens.

Lum is survived by companion Maureen Williams; three sons, Mark G. Owens and wife Lorrie and their children, Gunnar, Alix, Gaylon and Taelor; Byron G. Owens and wife Kathy and their children, Christopher and Katie; and son Larry T. Owens, all of Kalispell, Mont. He is also survived by two brothers, Dennis Owens and wife Arline of Marion, Mont., and Mike Hoover and wife Cindi of Rexford, Mont., and one sister, Shirley Druesdow and husband Charles of Kalispell. He was the “favorite uncle” to his many nieces and nephews and always cherished his many dear friends.

The family would like to invite his friends to a Celebration of Lum’s Life at the Red Lion (formerly Cavanaugh’s) on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008 from 2-5 p.m. Feel free to dress casually. Private family services will be held at Conrad Memorial Cemetery. The family requests memorials in Lum’s name be made to the Alert Endowment, Attn: Neil Heino, 310 Sunnyview Lane, Kalispell, MT 59901-3199.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Lum’s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Lum’s guest book.