R. C. Owens, age 77, passed away in the arms of his loving family, on the afternoon of Sunday, June 17, 2012. R. C. was born November 12, 1934 in Shreveport, Louisiana and has lived in Manteca with his wife, Susan, for the past 12 years. R. C. was joyously welcomed into heaven by his two children, Pamela & Darren, his mother and father, Climon Owens and Ida B. Dooley, brother, John Dooley , grandmother, Eugenia Rattler and his recently departed dog, Rollie.
R. C. is survived by his wife Susan, daughter, Melinda Grissett and son, Kelvin Owens, stepsons, Ken Morrell & Anthony Salazar and step daughter Shelly DiStefano, and the 17 grandchildren that adored him.
R. C. graduated from Santa Monica High School and the College of Idaho. An outstanding student and sports legend from Santa Monica High School, R. C. starred in football, basketball and ran track for the Santa Monica High School Vikings. An all C.I.F. (state football and basketball star), R. C. held several records in both football and basketball for several years at Santa Monica High.
R. C. graduated from the College of Idaho where he starred in football, basketball and track. R. C. was a Little American End and led the nation in receptions in his junior year of football. R. C. was "All Northwest Conference" for three years at End. In basketball, R. C. led the nation in rebounding as a sophomore at 27.6 averages. He grabbed over 2,000 rebounds and scored over 2,000 points during four years on the basketball team. R. C. proudly set many of the school's records in both basketball and football during his college days. In R. C.'s senior year, because of a football injury, he did not play football. However, he was elected to the cheerleading squad in his senior year.
After college, R. C. played basketball for the National AAU Champions and the Buchan Bakers of Seattle, Washington. He was then selected to the AAU All American Basketball team.
R. C.'s nickname was "Alley Oop" for his ability to out-leap defenders. He was noted for his "Alley Oop" receptions from quarterback, Y. A. Tittle's passes. R. C. was known for his jumping ability and once blocked a field goal by leaping up at the cross bar and knocking the ball down.
Following an outstanding National Football career as a wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Colts and New York Giants, R. C. rejoined the San Francisco 49ers in an administrative capacity. Reporting to Bill Walsh, R. C. held various positions which included, Director of Training Camp, Executive Assistant, and Alumni Coordinator. R. C. also served as the club's main spokesperson at countless civic and charitable functions throughout Northern California.
R. C. treasured his inductions into the Santa Monica High School Hall of Fame, the College of Idaho Hall of Fame, the NAIA Hall of Fame, the Manteca Hall of Fame, the Stockton California Black Sports Hall of Fame, the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame and the Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. 49ers Hall of Fame.
R. C. also served as National Public Relations Representative for the J. C. Penney Company, the Department of Health Education and Welfare and served the Oakland Stompers Soccer Club as Marketing and Promotions Director.
To know him is to love him. R. C. loved the San Francisco 49ers and San Francisco loved him. He will be missed by everyone.
P.L. Fry & Son Funeral Home of Manteca is honored to be serving the Owens family. A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 29, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. held at Glide Memorial Church, 330 Ellis St., San Francisco, CA. 94102. An online guest book is available for condolences to the family at www.plfryandson.com (search obituaries). For more information on services please contact P.L. Fry at 209-239-1242.
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Thursday, June 21, 2012
