John Owen

The following was a memorial written by the staff at Rail Passenger Association. Many thanks to the people at RPA that knew and loved John.

Honoring the Memory of John Owen: Advocate and Friend

Our staff was dismayed to hear of the passing of John Owen, Louisville, KY. A lifelong advocate and committed friend to all rail fans, John worked to empower the voices of minority and rural communities through his advocacy. Known for his passion and spirit of camaraderie, John joined NARP as a teenager alongside his parents and spent many years on the council. Not only was he an advocate for passengers, John also had a passion for expanding trailways, bus service, and saving abandoned rail cars as well as small town railroad museums. He played a crucial role in supporting the Bluegrass Rail Museum and Nostalgia Station Toy Museum when they faced uncertain futures.

In the last few years, John volunteered as part of a safety and de-escalation team during the uprising in Louisville, assuring people had safe passage aboard TARC and pedestrian safety was prioritized during tumultuous events. He also ran his own fundraiser campaigns for Juneteenth and Louisville Pride, recruiting supporters and meeting folks where they are at. He also provided counsel to former RPA Kentucky Council Representative Ron Schneider and Current Representative Josh Inzer.

John also worked tirelessly to advocate for better representation for minority groups in Kentucky, providing them assistance in registering to vote, means of contact for local elected officials, and education on local transit issues. During our last Rail Nation DC event, John hosted an after hours hospitality suite, offering a full spread of burgoo, fried chicken, beer cheese, and bourbon. Many in attendance will remember this last event where John – ever colorful and ever boisterous – opened his doors to all with love, support, and his vast anecdotal history of the Association. We hope that we can serve his memory in our advocacy and treat others with the open-hearted compassion of this brave, passionate advocate.

John passed on Sept. 8, 2022. He was preceded in death by his parents. John is survived by a cousin, Linda, of Dayton, NV. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced soon. Services will be held at Ratterman Funeral Services on Market Street, Louisville, KY.