Larry Carlton Owens

Larry Carlton Owens, age 78, of Santa Fe passed away peacefully Monday, June 16 at his home after a

several month battle with lung disease. He was born December 26, 1946, in Cleburne, Texas to Jeanne

and S.E. Owens. Upon graduation from high school, he attended McMurry College in Abilene on a

football scholarship and eventually transferred to University of Texas in Austin.

Larry had many professions throughout his life. He and his wife, Melinda, successfully managed a family

business in Fort Worth for 14 years. In 1991, he and his wife moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico. He

attended and graduated with a radiology associate’s degree from Northern New Mexico College in 1993.

He worked as an x-ray technician at Christus St. Vincent’s Regional Hospital for over 30 years, retiring in

October 2024. He also performed lithotripsy for St. Vincent Urology Associates for many years.

Larry’s favorite pastimes were reading, hiking, bicycling, baseball, music, and birding. He read daily,

including news, but also history, philosophy, literature of all kinds. He exercised on a regular basis, and

he accomplished a marathon run and a 100-mile bike ride. Larry took several Grand Canyon hiking trips

with his sister and brother-in-law, as well as many backpack trips in NM and CO. He kept a life birding

list, which was expanded by a 2004 Field Guides Birding Tour of Costa Rica. He also loved many forms of

music, including classical, jazz, and blues. Larry, his wife, and friends Gary and Chris Guy of Thorton, CO,

took many trips to Phoenix for the MLB Spring Training Cactus League. Larry also enjoyed time with

friends and family and going to favorite local restaurants, especially with best friends Tom and Wendy

Kincaid. With his broad interest and knowledge in so many subjects, some friends considered Larry a

“renaissance man.”

Larry was always well-liked by co-workers, with his work ethic, great sense of humor, willingness to help,

and incredible patience. He was acknowledged for several years with awards for his mentoring of

radiology students. He maintained many friendships over several decades. They all appreciated his

kindness, intelligence, and support. He had a knack for creating great hand-made greeting and birthday

cards for them. Larry and Melinda started their long-term relationship with a first date on October 8,

1963. Larry and Melinda loved to spend time at home together, reading, visiting with friends, or

watching baseball games. Larry’s death leaves a huge void in the lives of those he touched but his

memory will be forever in our hearts. We will miss him dearly.

Larry is survived by his wife, Melinda; sister Gay Hedrick and her spouse Jerry Hedrick of Boise, Idaho;

nephew Andrew Hedrick and spouse Rialin Flores of Boise, Idaho; great niece Isabel Hedrick of Boise,

Idaho; nephew William Hedrick of Boise, Idaho; brother-in law Grant Liser and spouse Sandra Liser of Ft.

Worth, Texas; nephew Michael Liser and fiancée Carol Merta of San Antonio, Texas; niece Elizabeth Liser

of Dallas, Texas; and great nephews Tyler Liser of Houston, Texas and Logan Liser of San Antonio, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, friends and family are encouraged to donate to one of the following: Cornell Lab of

Ornithology, National Audubon Society, American Lung Association, or Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. A

Celebration of Life is being planned for a later date.