Frank Wingo Owen

(“FWO” 8/1925 to 1/1927)

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Frank Wingo Owen (4/9/1893 to 11/8/1968 (Maury Cemetery, Richmond)) was the son of Richard E. Owen, a civil service administrator, and Ann Frances Merideth.  The 1912 City City directory lists him as a student.  The 1918-1920 directories do not list him.  His death certificate states that he served in World War I.  The 1921-1924 directories list him as either “Draftsman” or “Architect.”  The 1925 directory lists him as being employed as a draftsman at C. K. Howell, Inc.  An October 14, 1925 article in the Newport News Daily Press cites Frank Owen as being present on behalf of the Firm in Newport News for a building survey.  All entries to this 1925 list him as living at 1005 Decatur Street.  The 1926-27 City Directory lists him as employed by Charles M. Robinson Architects and living, respectfully, at 22 South Boulevard and then 3021 Floyd Avenue.  The 1929 City Directory lists him as a designer for the C & O Railway. 

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The 1930 Census lists Frank and Villa (born in New York City) Owen as renting 2510-A Floyd for $50 per month, living with their 4 ½ year old daughter Frances.  His employment is listed as an “Architectural Designer Railroad.”  The 1940 Census shows Frank and Villa Owen as living at 106 North Dooley Street with their 14 year old daughter Frances and “Architectural Designer Steam Railway” listed as Mr. Owen’s occupation.

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Frank W. Owen is present in the February 1926 photo of the drafting room and was a pallbearer at Charles M. Robinson’s funeral.  At the time of his death at Richmond Memorial Hospital due to an acute coronary insufficiency and coronary artery disease, on November 8, 1968 he was married to Villa Collins Owen.  His death certificate states that he was a retired office employee of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad.  No obituary could be located.