Hundreds of people came to the Corinthian Baptist Church to pay their respect to the family of the late Dr. O’dell Owens.Ohio state Sen. Cecil Thomas said when the community called, Owens was always there.“He was an example of someone who stepped up and became who he wanted to become,” Thomas said.From humble beginnings, Owens went from poor conditions in the West End as a kid to Harvard and Yale.“I was just enamored with his ability to connect with children and he wanted to give back because of what his childhood was to him. To let people know you can make it if you try,” said friend J.C. Battle.Some people waited an hour to get inside Corinthian Baptist Church to pay their respects to his family.People called him a trailblazer and a caring leader. Owens served as Hamilton County coroner, Cincinnati health commissioner and Cincinnati State College president. He gave a little piece of himself to so many people and so many organizations.His friend Terrence Poole said Owens loved Cincinnati.“He blew through this city like a hurricane of kindness, leadership, love and selfishness,” Poole said.Most importantly, he was a loving husband and a devoted father.“You gave the best hugs. I wish I could feel your whole heart. I hope one day I’ll feel that whole heart again,” Morgan Owens said.
Hundreds of people came to the Corinthian Baptist Church to pay their respect to the family of the late Dr. O’dell Owens.
Ohio state Sen. Cecil Thomas said when the community called, Owens was always there.
“He was an example of someone who stepped up and became who he wanted to become,” Thomas said.
From humble beginnings, Owens went from poor conditions in the West End as a kid to Harvard and Yale.
“I was just enamored with his ability to connect with children and he wanted to give back because of what his childhood was to him. To let people know you can make it if you try,” said friend J.C. Battle.
Some people waited an hour to get inside Corinthian Baptist Church to pay their respects to his family.
People called him a trailblazer and a caring leader.
Owens served as Hamilton County coroner, Cincinnati health commissioner and Cincinnati State College president. He gave a little piece of himself to so many people and so many organizations.
His friend Terrence Poole said Owens loved Cincinnati.
“He blew through this city like a hurricane of kindness, leadership, love and selfishness,” Poole said.
Most importantly, he was a loving husband and a devoted father.
“You gave the best hugs. I wish I could feel your whole heart. I hope one day I’ll feel that whole heart again,” Morgan Owens said.
