Clifford James Owens

Clifford James Owens passed away peacefully in Denver on June 2^nd, 2020. He was 77 years old.

Born in Los Angeles, California on January 27, 1943, Cliff lived in Fresno, San Diego and then Walnut Creek, California until he moved to Denver, Colorado in 1994. He graduated from The University of San Francisco and later served in the National Guard out of Fresno.

Cliff lived a long and joyful life, filled with many career successes, fun hobbies and surrounded by a family that loved him. His memory lives on with his friends and immediate family: his wife, Fanty, children Jason and Kimberlee (David Schneider) and grandchildren Gavin & Siena. His beloved parents and sister were: Harry ""Buck"" & Lois ""Lolo"" Owens and Kathy Owens.

Cliff spent the first 20+ years of his career working for Bank of America in Fresno and then San Francisco. He capped off his time at ""the bank"" living in Seoul, South Korea with his family for 2 years, while managing a joint-venture project to create KorAm Bank. He spent the next several years as an entrepreneur and small business owner in the IT field. He moved to Denver to accept a leadership position with Intelligent Electronics and finished out his career as a project management consultant for multiple companies, including Arthur Andersen. He was also a dedicated member of the Kiwanis Club organization in Ken Caryl/Columbine, Colorado. One of his proudest career accomplishments was designing the process for and then receiving a 1981 patent for Electronic Check Image Processing.

Cliff had a zest for life, matched by very few. He was an avid skier (both types) and got immense joy out of creating the perfect rooster tail in the summer and racing his kids down the mountain in the winter. He also loved to exercise and was a runner, racquetballer, bowler, dart-thrower, golfer and aerobics & spinning enthusiast (back in the 90's when it was cool). He spent decades as a wine aficionado, frequenting Napa Valley wine tastings, charity events and auctions with his friends/in-laws, John & Anne, and his family. He loved to enjoy that same wine at home with friends and family, telling the stories of how he found it and the story behind the winemaking itself. He had a passion for music - and playing it loud. Neil Diamond, ABBA, John Denver and The Three Tenors were frequently played and sung throughout the house. He was committed to finding the fun in anything and everything that he did. He loved to do the dishes, BBQ in the backyard, hang out with his family, speak in baby-voice to the cat, drive fast, sing, dance and LAUGH.

A backyard Celebration of Cliff's Life will be held on Sunday, June 7^th. Friends and family are welcome to attend! Bring a good story, a bottle of wine, or both to help commemorate him. For location details, contact a family member or Horan & McConaty.

Memorial contributions may be made to Vitalant (formerly Bonfils Blood Center), as Cliff was a passionate and regular blood donor.