'True American patriot': Funeral service held for former Kentucky State Rep. Darryl Owens
The former state representative was remembered for his years of compassionate and honest service
The former state representative was remembered for his years of compassionate and honest service
The former state representative was remembered for his years of compassionate and honest service
On Tuesday, the Louisville community said a final goodbye to Darryl T. Owens, a leader who spent decades serving at the state and local level.
The former state representative was remembered for his years of compassionate and honest service.
"One person can make a difference," said Owens' daughter Deborah Owens.
The difference he made did not go unnoticed in Metro Louisville nor at the state level.
In the video player below: Watch the funeral service for Darryl Owens
"He served his community in so many special ways as the president as the NAACP, as a juvenile court judge, as the first black president of the legal aid society, as Jefferson County commissioner, he became the first black candidate elected to the Jefferson County Fiscal Court, where he served for 21 years," said Gov. Andy Beshear.
Owens was also the first black assistant attorney general.
Beshear called him "a warrior, a trailblazer and a true American patriot."
The governor and others recalled how Owens fiercely advocated for voting rights in Kentucky.
"One of my first acts as governor was signing an executive order with Darryl by my side restoring voting rights to over 140,000 Kentuckians who paid their debt to society," Beshear said.
A title he wore proudly was "father."
His two daughters, Deborah and Dedra, told the crowd inside St. Stephen Church that their dad always showed up for them – and for anyone who needed it.
"You can tell me that he will be one of the greatest statesmen of Kentucky and that will never ever surpass his role as one of the best fathers who ever walked the face of this earth," Deborah Owens said.
"Darryl Owens embodied black excellence in everything that he did," Dedra Owens said.
It's that lifetime of excellence that inspired so many.
Raoul Cunningham, a friend of Owens, challenged everyone to follow Owens' lead.
"As we celebrate Darryl's victories and accomplishments, there is work for us who remain that must be done and I challenge all of us. We have got to put on the armor for justice and equality and continue the fight that Mr. Owens left us," said Cunningham.
Owens was 84 years old.