Cleary was born in Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County, Michigan to Patrick Roger Cleary and Helen (Jenks) Cleary, and was married to Marie DeWaele. Cleary graduated from Cleary College, which had been founded by his father, and Owen Cleary eventually worked for the school.
Student Cleary College, 1920, Michigan State Normal College, 1922. Bachelor of Arts, University of Michigan, 1925. Juris Doctor, U. Detroit, 1931.
Owen Cleary served in the United States. Army during World War I. In 1938 he became president of Cleary University when his father retired. During World World War II, the Governor of Michigan asked him to raise troops to replace the Michigan National Guard which had been called up to serve in the War and Cleary served as a brigadier general. Cleary was also a lawyer and a candidate in the primary for Lieutenant Governor of Michigan in 1946.
Cleary served as chair of the Michigan Republican Party from 1949-1953.
He was a delegate to 1952 Republican National Convention and an alternate to the 1956 convention. Cleary was Michigan Secretary of State from 1953–1954 and defeated in 1954.
He was candidate in the primary for Governor of Michigan in 1954 and was the last Republican to serve as Secretary of State until Candice Miller took office in 1995. Cleary is interred at Highland Cemetery, Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Served as Second lieutenant Infantry, United States Army, 1918. Member American Legion, Ypsilanti Board Commerce (president 1932-1933, 39-40), National Education Association, American, Michigan bar associations, National Alcoholic Beverage Control Association (president 1948-1949), Military Order Foreign Wars (state commander 1955-1956), Phi Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Pi, Delta Theta Phi. Clubs: Rotary (president 1931-1932).
Married Marie F. DeWaele, August 17, 1929.
