CANTON — Owen Hofacket, longtime resident of Canton, Okla., and lately of
Ocala, Fla., and the third of four sons of Ed and Hetha Hofacket, was born
Oct. 31, 1919, in Sterling, Okla. He died in Ocala, Fla., on Tuesday, March
19, 2013.
Called her “boo baby” by his mother because of his Halloween birthday, Owen
was raised in the Dust Bowl and Depression years in West Texas. Among his
other early activities and accomplishments, he was a Swing King, earning
various awards for his dance enthusiasm and talent.
Owen was a decorated Second World War veteran, serving over three years in
the South Pacific.
Following the war, he finished his college education on the GI Bill of
Rights, receiving his degree in geology.
He was first employed by Texaco Oil as an exploring geologist in the
Southwestern United States and spent the majority of his career with United
States Gypsum, where he was recognized as a valued manager and inventor.
It was during his college years that he met and married Jean, his beloved
and cherished wife of 61 years. Owen and Jean had two children, Tom and
Jeanie, who remember their dad as a man who taught as much by how he lived
his life as by the words that he spoke.
Following their retirement, Owen and Jean traveled the United States,
occasionally sending postcards to their children to let them know where
their parents were. It was during this time that Owen began working with
wood, specializing in toy making and creating wooden trains that became
collector’s items.
A loved and respected community and church leader, Owen was continually
involved in Canton’s community life, filling many leadership positions at
his church and participating in a wide variety of community activities,
including serving as a volunteer fire fighter. Owen was known for his
compassion, empathy, commitment and sense of humor, which engaged and
entertained others to the last of his days.
Family was the heart of Owen’s life and he is survived by his son and
daughter, two grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, two
great-great-grandchildren, a sister-in-law, Katie Hofacket of New Mexico, a
sister-in-law, Marie Augustsen of Tulsa, Okla., brother-in-law, H.T. Duff of
Ponca City, Okla., and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, who remember
him with love and laughter.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 27, 2013, at First Baptist
Church of Canton, with Rev. Mike McReynolds officiating. Interment with
military honors will follow in Canton Cemetery under the direction of
Haigler-Pierce Funeral Home, Canton.
Memorials may be made to Canton First Baptist Church Building Fund through
the funeral home or the Alameda County Library, 2450 Stevenson Blvd.,
Fremont, CA 04538.
Condolences may be made online at www.haigler pierce.com.
(Submitted by family)
