Julian Lee Owen Jr. of Murfreesboro, Tenn. died peacefully at home on November 29, 2025, surrounded by family.
He is survived by his wife and the love of his life, Sophia Fox Owen, four beloved children, nine cherished grandchildren, and many family members and friends.
Dr. Owen was born August 10, 1933, in Greenville to Julian Lee Owen Sr. and Margaret Grace Barry Owen. He grew up on Maryland Plantation near Shelby, and graduated as valedictorian of Shelby High School in 1951. He earned both a Bachelor of Arts and a Doctor of Medicine degree from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, where he was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon social fraternity and the Phi Chi medical fraternity.
Dr. Owen continued his pediatric training at the James Whitcomb Riley Hospital in Indianapolis and under Dr. Blair Batson at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson before practicing pediatrics in the United States Navy. After leaving the Navy with a rank of lieutenant in 1963, Dr. Owen returned to Jackson to practice pediatrics for the next 50 years until his retirement in 2010. Certified as both a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatrics and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Dr. Owen also held memberships on the American Medical Association, the Mississippi Medical Association, and the Central Mississippi Pediatric Society. He was invited to join the Rotary Club of Jackson in 1968 and served on both the board of directors and the Fellowship/Scholarship Committee, remaining a senior active member until his passing.
Dr. Owen married Sophia Cottrell Fox at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral of Jackson in July 1961. He and Mrs. Owen enjoyed extensive travel in the United States, Europe, the northern Atlantic, the Pacific Rim, the Middle East, the Caribbean, South America, and Antarctica. Dr. Owen pursued photography as a hobby for many years, winning several awards and earning publication in both books and magazines. He was a member of the Photographic Society of America and the Jackson Photographic Society, serving as a judge for photography salons. An avid collector of art and southern first editions, Dr. Owen was particularly fond of the works of Eudora Welty, James Lee Burke, Walter Anderson, Christopher Ingles Stebly, Elizabeth Johnson, Marie Hull, Karl and Mildred Wolfe, and the Shearwater Pottery.
A member of First Presbyterian Church in Jackson for over 50 years, Dr. Owen served first as deacon and subsequently as a ruling elder for many years. He took a special interest in First Presbyterian Day School, acted as chair of the school’s scholarship committee, and was a key factor in the formation of the Day School’s special education program.
Lee and Sophia Owen celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary among family and friends in 2025. Their children are Julian Lee Owen III (wife, Ann) of Jackson; Margaret Ellen Owen Showalter (husband, Patrick) of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; Sophia Fox Owen Wilbur (husband, Gregory) of Franklin, Tenn.; and Laura Alice Owen of Nashville. Their grandchildren are Julian Lee Owen IV, Laura Emily Owen; Margaret Alicia Showalter, David Nelson Showalter, Ellen Grace Showalter, Sadie Virginia Showalter, Sharon Lisa Showalter, Innocent James Showalter; and Eleanor Jane Koken Wilbur.
Services will be at Benoit Union Church in Benoit at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 6, 2025. Burial will be a the Burrus Cemetery, Dr. Owen’s family resting place, established before the Civil War on Hollywood Plantation near Benoit. Attendant ministers will be the Reverend Joe Creech and Reverend Wiley Lowry.
Pallbearers will be Julian Lee Owen IV, Patrick René Showalter, David Nelson Showalter, Carl Fox IV, Eustace Harold Winn IV, and Dale Richard Younce.
Honorary Pallbearers include Dr. Lewis D. Lipscomb, Gregory Daniel Wilbur, Pleun Troost, Dr. Bill Payne and Hal Winn.
Arrangements are being handled by Sebrell Funeral Home of Ridgeland. Memorial donations may be made to First Presbyterian Day School of Jackson, Mississippi and Third Millennium Ministries (thirdmill.org).
