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Joseph “Joe” D. Owen, Jr. passed to spirit at 89. He was quite active through September 2022 and was cared for at home, as he wished by his devoted nephew, Daniel Beale. He lived an extraordinary life with his husband and best friend, Jim Ehrhart who predeceased him in January 2020.
Joe’s interests were as varied and eclectic as his life. Music, from Ragtime to Theater Organ, railroads, astrology, nature, photography, travel and Spiritualism were all at the top of his list. He worked diligently for the Boards of the National Spiritualist Association of Churches (NASC) and Morris Pratt Institute (MPI).
Born and raised in Virginia, Joe joined the Navy and served in Washington DC and Chicago. He became quite skilled at printing and typesetting. When he landed in San Francisco in the late 70’s, he met his long time love, business partner and husband, Jim, and joined his existing communication business. Together, they built Professional Communications into a successful association management business that lasted more than 45 years.
In the last 20 years, Jim and Joe’s volunteer work on behalf of the Morris Pratt Institute and the National Association of Spiritualist Churches became their passion. Together they published two books for NASC, and created many formal policies, procedures and materials to support the growth of the Spiritualist Pastor Qualification process.
Jim and Joe loved to travel. They went to the UK, New Zealand, cruised the Danube and took lots of weekend trips all around the San Francisco Bay Area. They often attended conferences and conventions for Theater Organ, Ragtime, Spiritualist conferences, board meetings and events which they used as an opportunity to spend valued time with family.
After Jim passed in January 2020, Joe worked tirelessly to memorialize his work and distribute his personal collections and family items. He continued to walk every day and had favored coffee and tea spots where he would meet friends and watch people. He loved his Ragtime and Beer every Tuesday at Pier 23. He reconnected with his family in Virginia, the highlight of these times. He developed a wonderful relationship with his nephew Daniel O. Beale, a traveling nurse. Daniel happened to be in San Francisco just after Joe ended up in the hospital in October 2022. He selflessly gave up several planned trips to stay and care for Joe when it became clear this was the last hospitalization. Joe always expressed his wish to die at home in his beloved apartment of 34 years. He got his wish, slipping into spirit during the night of December 11, 2022.
As many of you know, Jim was an extraordinary medium. He continues to communicate with many of us and has directed much of this service. We are honored to come together to spread Joe’s ashes both here on this beautiful property once owned by Jim’s grandfather, and in a cemetery about 25 minutes away. Now, Jim and Joe are reunited. The fact that it would have been Joe’s 90th birthday today, makes it even more special. He is missed by so many friends of 30-50 years, and family alike.
The Virtual Celebration Of Life For Joe Owen
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
1:00pm Eastern Time
Joe’s friends & family invite you to join us for a virtual Celebration of Life honoring his life and legacy.
I met Joe in 1983 when coordinating a week long conference in SF. Their company, Professional Communications, handled e ery aspect from printing to registration like the pros they were. A life long friendship ensued. I was privileged to stand up for them when Jim and Joe married in City Hall. I was honored to be one of Joe’s best friends after he lost Jim. We talked every day for that 3 years. Joe was a Scorpio through and through. An avid astrologist, his interests were eclectic, interesting and took him many places. His friends of 30, 40, 50 and 60+ years will all attest to his generous heart and quick wit. ♥️ I’m happy to report that his ashes have been scattered with Jim’s in New York and Big Sur. They are reunited 💖. Life is right again.
I met Jim many decades ago at a Dignity Convention in Washington DC. We became friends and when I visited San Francisco I met Joe. Jim and I remained in communication for years and always made a point to meet in person whenever I visited San Francisco. When my husband David and I married in San Francisco at City Hall, Jim and Joe were the only friends that attended, and they took pictures. These are the only picture David and I have of that wonderful day. After Jim passed, I met with Joe one more time, we had dinner together. They were wonderful human beings and I feel privileged that I met them during their time on Earth.
Joe and I were second cousins. We always got together when Joe was in Richmond, VA. Joe was such a very special person. I miss him very much.
I met Joe in 1978. I’m an organist that was performing in Phoenix. As you may know, one of Joe’s passions was the theatre organ, and that’s what I play professionally. Joe had just arrived in town and hadn’t decided where he would stay. We had a mutual friend in Chicago (Alden Stockebrand) who had mentioned Joe many times over the years. I had just moved into a new townhome, and invited Joe to stay in my new guest room. That visit began a friendship that continued until he passed. My partner Tom and I were guests of Joe and Jim’s in their first SF apartment behind the Gay Cleaners (yes, that’s what it was called — named before the word “gay” developed a new meaning — it was Asian owned) and later at their final apartment up on Twin Peaks. In turn, Joe and Jim stayed at all my homes in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Carefree and later in Las Vegas, NV. Then I moved to Grass Valley, CA and we would visit each other whenever I was in SF, or when Joe and Jim came to Roseville and Auburn for their Spiritualist gatherings. In fact, Joe asked me to participate in Jim’s Celebration of Life at Mission Dolores, where I played the piano. Joe was one of those people that even though you may have not seen him for a while, you just picked up from where you left off and moved forward. He was one of the few people that understood exactly who I was and where I was coming from. We were always on the same page regarding ANY subject. The last time we spoke (on the phone), he told me it probably would be the last time. It was. I will never forget the last time I physically saw him, which wasn’t too far back. He came to Grass Valley to one of my concerts. I introduced him to a friend that couldn’t believe he was his age. He looked great! So, it was a big shock when he left us. We miss you Joe, but know that we’ll see you again…
Joe was my mentor when he left the position of Department Chair of the Publications Department for the NSAC and I was being ushered in under his gentle guidance and unimaginable knowledge base. We became good friends and found that we both had a strong internal BS detector. Missing him dearly….
I miss Joe. We got to spend time together later in life. I met Joe for the first time three years ago. He and my mother Audrey were first cousins and grew up together in Sedley Virginia and were very close. I wish we had met much earlier in life but I was blessed to be able to spend a few years with Joe before he passed.