Claude Swanson Owen

Claude Swanson Owen, 79, of Lynchburg went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. He was the husband of Jo Anne Merricks Owen for 57 years and always will be. He was unusually strong in body and very strong-willed. He gave it all he had, but he couldn't beat cancer.

Born on December 22, 1946, in Halifax County, VA he was the son of the late Joseph Cline Owen and Lettie Arendall Owen.

He graduated from George Washington High School in Danville, VA. After high school he graduated from Danville Community College where he earned a diploma in Precision Machining Technology and was soon employed by BWX Technologies in Lynchburg for forty-four years. While at BWX he joined the emergency team which began a long-term commitment to being a first responder, and in turn, lead to thirty-six years of dedication to the Concord Volunteer Fire Department where he served in various positions including chief and president. He was Fire Liaison for Campbell County Public Safety for six years. Most importantly, he was a member of Rustburg Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and managed the Benevolent Fund.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Brandon Travis Owen and wife, Sandy of Rustburg, and Joseph Byron Owen and his wife, Carmen of Myrtle Beach, SC; five grandchildren, Ryan Owen of Forest and Emily Owen Miller and husband, Logan of Gulf Hammock, FL, Brandon Owen, Russell “Rusty” Owen, and Jade Owen; and two siblings, Kenneth Gene Owen of Gainesville, FL, and Letty Owen Campbell of Dry Fork, VA.

He was preceded in death by three siblings, J. C. (Jack) Owen, Jr., Joan Ellen Owen Brown, and Bruce Albert Owen.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Westminster Hospice for their care of Claude. They were wonderful.

We also want to thank the Concord Volunteer Fire Department, Campbell County Public Safety, the Emily Couric UVA Cancer Center, Lynchburg General Hospital, Rustburg Baptist Church, our friends and neighbors in Rustburg, Concord, and Holiday Forest. Lastly, we want to extend our love and appreciation to Robert “Rabbit” Myers of Forest and David Williams of Evington who were Claude's constant friends for nearly sixty years.

John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

Rest in peace, my husband.

A funeral service will be held 11am, Monday, November 2, 2026, at Rustburg Baptist Church with Rev. Don Bailey officiating. Burial will follow in Cumbie Memorial Cemetery.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.

Robinson Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family, www.robinsonfuneral.com