Neil Eugene Ownby

Neil Eugene Ownby Sr. passed away unexpectedly on September 4 th , 2026 at AdventHealth’s main hospital in Orlando after undergoing a short outpatient procedure to stabilize a fracture in his lower back that had hindered his mobility since it occurred in 2025. Our family is particularly devastated by the unlikely and sudden nature of the events that transpired at first in the outpatient care wing and ultimately in the hospital’s ICU.

Neil was born to Acy and Stella Long Ownby on August 7 th , 1937 and preceded in death by them… he is also preceded in death by his brother Thomas and sister Frances Shipley. He is survived by his devoted wife of 68 years, Dolores Leach Ownby, sons Neil and Rodney (wife Lisa) and grandchildren Casey (wife Gina), Desirae Infante (husband Orlando), Bryce, and Alexis. And also, great grandchildren Xzandria, Owen, and Trey Infante, along with a fourth arriving to Casey and Gina in January 2027. Additionally, he is survived by nieces Teresa Campbell and Vickie Clayton (husband Kenneth) who are the daughters he and Dolores never had.

Neil had just turned 89 and was in good health having rebounded, to walking independently within 2 months of the injury from 2025. He remained the unquestioned leader of our family and executed that responsibility steadfastly for nearly 70 years with absolute perfection. To the best of everyone’s recollection, he never missed a day of work except in 1964 when he was ejected from his van after swerving off the road to avoid a head-on collision with a vehicle driving in his lane. He never met a stranger and was always quick with a smile and a joke for everyone he encountered. He was a devoted Volunteer fan and wouldn’t leave his chair or turn the TV off even if they were down 4 touchdowns with 3:00 minutes left in the 4th!

Upon his retirement in 2002, Neil embraced his 3 rd act in life, with the energy of someone half his age, as “Papaw” to Bryce and Alexis. His selfless devotion to them is unmatched in the value it brought to our family… he spent his days walking them to and from school, playing basketball and riding bikes with them and teaching them how to play cards, pool, and ping pong sometimes on weekends. On countless evenings, he would accompany Bryce and Rodney to the local high school football stadium to walk the stairs and run 40-yard wind sprints on the field.

In August of 2009, almost exactly 9 months before Alexis was born, he was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer of his small intestine. After a successful surgery, he was left to recover for 3 months before undergoing 6 months of chemotherapy. We asked him to fight to be here for Alexis and he said he would do his best. A Dr. told him if he could start a walking routine it would improve his chances of survival, and he began that immediately. By the time his chemo started he was up to 5 miles on each walk. We were afraid the toxic drugs they were administering would end this routine for him, but he maintained both his distance and frequency throughout. Every 2 weeks he was on a slow drip of chemotherapy on Friday nights, and the nurse would come and unhook him early on Saturday mornings. As soon as she finished, he was out the door, 5 miles every time. We didn’t even know where he was, he would get so far from home. Alexis was born on 5-25-2010, he rang the bell at MD Anderson’s chemo lab 2 weeks later… and he never looked back.

Surely Neil Ownby is one of the greatest examples of a husband, father, and grandfather to ever grace this planet. The void left by his sudden passing is unfillable, and we are lost and inconsolable without his earthly presence. He was loving, kind, gentle, smart, funny, caring, strong, faithful, generous and above all – selfless… irreplaceable. We the members of his family are continuing to maintain our faith that God’s wisdom will reveal itself in time; and praying for His nurturing comfort through the days that lie in between.

The family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 12, at Fountain City Chapel with a 5:00 service to follow. Graveside services will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, September 14, at East TN Veterans Cemetery, John Sevier.

Online condolences can be made at www.mynattfh.com