James Samuel Owens

Background

Owens, James Samuel was born on March 27, 1908 in McKinney, Kentucky, United States. Son of Laurance Bowman and Mary Ellen (Dudderar) Owens.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Physics summa cum laude, U. Chattanooga, 1928; postgraduate, University of Wisconsin, 1928-1929; Master of Science in Physics, University of Michigan, 1930; Doctor of Philosophy in Physics, University of Michigan, 1932.

Career

Research physicist, Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Michigan, 1933-1939; assistant chief chemist division glass and closure, Armstrong Cork Company, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1939-1943; chief technical aide Office Science R & D, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 1943-1945; professor, executive director research foundation, Ohio State University, Columbus, 1946-1951; assistant to manager division ceramic, Champion Spark Plug Company, Detroit, 1951-1954; general manager division ceramic, Champion Spark Plug Company, Detroit, 1954-1970; vice president, general manager, Champion Spark Plug Company, Detroit, 1971-1973. Member commission on spectroscopy National Research Council, Washington, 1937-1942. Member panel on infrared commission on electronics Research and Development Board, Washington, 1947-1949, chairman panel on infrared commission on electronics, 1949-1952, member commission on materials, 1952-1954.

Member of advisory board department ceramic engineering U. Ill, Urbana, 1968-1971. Trustee Rackham Engineering Foundation, Detroit, 1973-1975.

Achievements

• James Samuel Owens has been listed as a noteworthy manufacturing executive by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

Member Political Finance Committee, Wayne County, Michigan, 1960s, 70s. Director Science and Engineering Fair, Detroit, 1973-1979, president, 1976. Counselor Tax Counseling for Elderly, Englewood, Florida, 1983-1989, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, Englewood, 1989-1996.

Fellow American Ceramic Society (trustee 1963-1964, 66-70, vice president 1963-1964, president 1967-1968, Toledo Glass and Ceramic award 1969, A.V. Bleininger Memorial award 1978, distinguished life 1979), Engineering Society Detroit (board directors 1969-1975, vice president 1972-1973, president 1973-1974). Member American Physical Society, National Institute Ceramic Engineers, International Association Torch Clubs (president 1965-1966), Rotonda Golf and Country Club, Blue Key, Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Xi.

Interests

• Avocations: golf, swimming, family genealogy, tax counseling, reading.

Connections

Married Marion Alice Borgerding, February 10, 1934. Children: James Carl, Donald Stanley.

Father:

Laurance Bowman Owens

Mother:

Mary Ellen (Dudderar) Owens

Spouse:

Marion Alice Borgerding

child:

James Carl Owens

child:

Donald Stanley Owens