Joseph "Joe" William Ownbey

Joseph “Joe” William Ownbey, 86 a lifelong resident of Cleveland passed away Wednesday, March 6, 2024. He graduated from Bradley Central High School in 1955. He spent a lot of time in his teenage years helping his dad with the family dairy farm. Joe obtained a degree in Agriculture Education from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. During his college years he worked at the UT Dairy Farm to pay for his college tuition. Joe worked as a school teacher of Science, a Personnel Manager for Mallory Battery, a Real Estate Agent, a part-time preacher and a General Contractor, (which he did for the longest period of his working years). He received the 1985 Builder of the year award. Joe enjoyed gardening, yard work and Bluegrass and classic country music. Following his retirement, in recent years, he greatly enjoyed his Hardee’s “Breakfast Club”. He was an active member at Central Church of Christ in Cleveland where he had served as an Elder in the past. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and LaVerne Ownbey; his brother, James “Jim” Ownbey; and his sister, Linda Janice “Jan” Perkinson (Don). Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Retta Ownbey; son, Randy Ownbey (Susan); daughter, Rhonda Ratcliff (Gerald); grandchildren, Matt Ownbey (Kaci), Laura Ownbey and Hannah Ratcliff; siblings, Jack Ownbey, (Rosemary, deceased), Judy Gobble (Ted), and Juanita Harris (John); along with several nieces and nephews. A Remembrance of Life Service will be held Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 3pm at Central Church of Christ with Minister Wayne Miller officiating the service. The family will receive friends on Tuesday prior to the service from 12 noon until 3pm at the church. The interment will follow at Union Grove Church of Christ Cemetery. Jim Rush Funeral and Cremation Services North Ocoee Street Chapel has charge of the arrangements. We encourage you to share your memories and condolences with Joe’s family by going to www.jimrushfuneralhomes.com.Read Obituary