Max Eddie Owen, 73, of Alapaha died February 1, 2016 in Berrien County.

He was born June 23, 1942 in Fletcher, NC to the late Troy Everett Owen and the late Ethel Rhodes Owen. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1965 and served as a Boy Scout Director in the Atlanta area for 2 years. He taught school in Berrien County for 7 years and in Colquitt County for 3 years. He was a farmer , managed the Tift County Livestock for 7 years and was a referee for high school basketball and football for over 30 years with the Valdosta Association. He was a member of the Alapaha Lions Club for over 40 years, a member of the Gideons since 1976 and was ordained a deacon at Alapaha Baptist Church in 1974. He was active in the Georgia Hunting and Fishing Federation, a member of the Georgia Republican Party and instrumental in starting the Berrien County Republican Party. He was a salesman with Joseph Foods from 1986 to 1990 and retired from Williams Foods in Douglas from 2005.

He is survived by his wife: Bonnie Horten Owen of Alapaha; daughter: Kim (James) Lindsey of Alapaha; 2 sons: Andy Owen (fiancé: Cindy Barnard) of Alapaha and Jason Owen of Alapaha; sister: Maerita Adams of Valdosta; brother: Ted Owen of Alapaha; 5 grandchildren: Adrian Owen, Jordan Lindsey, Savannah Owen, Max Lindsey and Katie Lindsey; special brother: Otto Brown of Willacoochee; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Thursday February 4, 2016 at 2 PM in the Alapaha Baptist Church with the Rev. Gerald Mallard and Rev. Dillard Ensley officiating. Interment will follow in Fletcher Cemetery. Visitation is Wednesday from 6 to 8 PM. Flowers will be accepted or make memorial contributions to the Alapaha Baptist Church or to the Gideons.