Gaylon 'Lum' Owens, 73

Gaylon "Lum" Owens, 73, a lifelong Kalispell resident and businessman, passed away July 19, 2008, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family. Gaylon F. Owens was born in Libby 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 then were 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. Lum formed a partnership with Jim Hurst in 1980, which became Owens and Hurst Lumber Company, followed by a chip-hauling business known as Owens and Bray, Inc. He also held ownership in Tobacco Valley Lumber, Lone Pine Timber Products, JLJ Chippers, Somers Land Company 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 whom 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 the early age of 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 always was 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 never will 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. He is also survived by two brothers, Dennis Owens and wife, Arline, of Marion, and Mike Hoover and wife, Cindi, of Rexford; also 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) from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2. Please feel free to dress casually. Private family services will be held at the C.E. 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.