It is with great sadness that we share that our beloved David passed away on February 12, 2020 in Edmonton, AB at the age of 55. David is survived by his wife Kristina; children Elizabeth and Thomas; dad Wendell Owen; sisters Lori (Denny) Gervais, Gwen (Dave) Dawson and Maureen Sutherland; nieces Megan (Geoff) Kiefer, Kirsten Dawson, Emily Sutherland, Maggie Sutherland & Aelish Holland-Collins; nephews Derek (Jenna) Sutherland, Mark Gervais, Michael Gervais, Cole Dawson, Dylan Thomas and Aidan Thomas; mother and father-in-law Edie & Gary Holland; sisters-in-law Debbie Thomas and Tania (Dan Collins) Holland; many aunts, uncles and cousins; and many special friends, including his work family at Morningstar Air Express. David was predeceased by both his maternal and paternal grandparents; his sweet mom, Ruth Owen; his uncles Don Propp and Bob Owen; and his brother-in-law Austin Thomas.
David was born in Saskatoon, SK, to Wendell and Ruth Owen. He arrived in this world as the long-awaited son to these wonderful parents and three adoring sisters, Lori, Gwen, and Maureen. The Owen family was and is a very close one. It was the house that the kids brought all their friends to. At any given time there could be several teenagers lazing around the Owen household. David’s friends were well aware that the door was always open. Wendell and Ruth ensured that David learned that family was the most important thing in life. He took that lesson and made it part of his own family. David graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a degree in Economics. At the age of 18, David pursued one of his life passions and first obtained his Private Pilot’s License from Mitchinson Flight Centre in Saskatoon and later his Commercial License at Boundary Bay in Delta, BC. He moved to the west coast in the late 80’s, where he met his Kristina. David and Kristina were married on October 8th, 1994. In 1996 they moved to Edmonton, where their wonderful children, Ellie and Thomas were born and David started his career with Morningstar Air Express as Manager of System Operations. David was a devoted husband and father. His world centred around being the very best Dad to Ellie and Thomas. He loved building Lego with Thomas, baking with Ellie, airplanes and flying, golf, cooking, video games, long showers and baths, the Saskatchewan Roughriders, the Edmonton Oilers, reading, history, music, scotch, and a good red wine that allowed him to use his expansive vocabulary.
David exuded warm friendliness and a calm and measured demeanour. He was one of those people who just seemed to make everyone smile and feel better simply by being around. He had a wonderful sense of humour and his quick wit was appreciated by all who knew and loved him.
David was loved and adored, and while our sadness is deep, our wonderful memories of our time with him keep him alive in our hearts.
A celebration of David’s life will be held on Saturday, February 22nd at 1:00 pm at Blatchford Air Hangar, Fort Edmonton Park, Edmonton. All Roughrider and Oiler fans are invited to wear team clothing to share the love of David’s two favourite teams.
Memorial donations may be made to Elizabeth and Thomas’s education fund at the Scotiabank (contact immediate family members for specific details) or the Heart and Stroke Foundation at www.heart and stroke.ca.
Lois Halko says
Dear Kristina, Ellie, Thomas, Edie, Gary & all the Family,
With sorrow on your sudden loss of David.
My heart is with you in caring and support,
Sharing the sadness and wishing you peace.
Lois Halko
Sparwood
Lisa Jackart says
What a beautiful tribute to Dave.
Kristina, my heart breaks for you, Ellie and Thomas. May your memories of the time you all spent together bring you comfort at this time.
To the Holland and Owen families I send my deepest sympathy and strength to get you through the toughest of days.
Love you.
Brenda Heron says
So very sad for your family. Heartfelt condolences and hugs. There are no words that can make this any easier. One moment at a time and cherish the time you had together. ❤️????
Brenda Heron
Shelly & Terry Hume says
I am so very sorry to hear about David’s sudden passing. Our heartfelt sympathies to Kristina, Elizabeth & Thomas and their families. We are deeply saddened to hear this. Our deepest sympathies to you all
Simpson family says
I am so very sorry for your loss. Dave was a fantastic boss, and a great person all around. His humour was one of a kind and always had us smiling and laughing at work. He spoke so fondly of his family. I’m currently on maternity leave and he always told me to enjoy my time home with my kids as they grow up so fast. You could tell family meant everything to him.
I’m sorry to miss his service, we are moving to Ontario on the 21st. I know it will be a great tribute to Dave.
He will be missed by so many.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, the kids and your family at this time.
Leeann, Jody, Jonah & Jacob Simpson
Liz and David Gossard says
Debbie, this is so tragic. David and I wish to extend our most heartfelt sympathy to you, Kristina, children and the rest of your families.
Steph Worley & Kim Hards says
Dave’s smile is going to be greatly missed in this building.
Kim & Dave would talk at length about the Roughriders and Mustangs. I still expect to see him walking down the hall or thru the door downstairs, with a smile and a big hello.
We send our deepest condolences to his family, he is gone far to soon.
Bill and Joanne McGoey, and your aviation family at Morningstar says
Kristina, Ellie and Thomas, and to the Holland and Owen families, I send my deepest condolences. Thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time of deep sorrow.
Every one of us here at Dave’s Morningstar family is heartbroken. In our fast-paced express air cargo world, Dave was the person who was strong and gentle, wise and capable, witty and entertaining. When things got hectic, Dave had the positive effect of slowing it all down for us with his gentle demeanour, his patient listening, precise actions and timely humour. During his 22-year tenure here running our airline system operations, he built and managed an outstanding team, touched many lives across the country, and formed lasting friendships.
I commemorate Dave and celebrate the legacy he has left us all. His legacy is in his beautiful family and his many friends, in the people he has helped and mentored, and in the many lives he has touched. He has left us all a deep-rooted pride in family, friendship, and aviation. Thank you, Dave.
Kristina Owen says
Thank you! You are spot on! We miss him so much!
Keith Grant says
I can only endorse what has already been said.
Proud to have known Dave, and had the privilege to have had him as a colleague.
A truly good guy gone too soon.
Rest in peace Dave.
Keith Grant.
MAEI Retrd.
Donna Towndrow says
Kristina,
My deepest condolences to you, the kids and David’s family.
Donna
Leslie & Olyvia says
Kristina & Family,
There are truly no words.
We are sending you our warmest condolences and strength. As two people who recently lost someone very important – we’d like to share a reminder for you all to take the time needed. Cherish every memory and write them down if you can as thoughts can be hard to manifest at this time.
Stay together and always remember that reflection is healing.
Your friends,
Leslie & Olyvia
Leduc Co-op Liquor Store.
Gregory Allen says
Dear Kristina,
It’s been a week now since I first heard the news about David, and I still find it almost impossible to believe. The good times the three of us had still feel, in many ways, like yesterday. I thought of David often in the years since I left Canada, and always looked forward to the day we would meet again, relive old times and have some new ones. It’s heartbreaking to think we won’t have that chance, but I very much look forward to seeing you, Ellie and Thomas when the chance finally comes and to tell stories of my very good friend David from what were very good days.
With my very sincere best wishes, your cousin,
Greg