ROBERT “DYNAMITE” OWINGS
Memphis, Missouri 1939 – 2025
Robert Owings, 86, of Memphis, MO was the son of Lorin and Dixie L. (Bear) Owings. He was born in ReedsVille, MO in Callaway County, Missouri, February 18, 1938, and passed away at the Scotland County Hospital in Memphis, MO February 12, 2025.
In 1954 the whole Owings family moved to Memphis.
He enlisted with the U.S. Air Force in November of 1955 and was honorably discharged in November 1957.
He was known by Dynamite and he owned a wrecker service for over 50 years and had a garage where he was a mechanic working on automobiles all of his life.
He was involved in collector of antiques, did snow plowing, was a landlord for several years, served on the Antique Fair Board for many years and belonged to the NEMO Car Club attending a lot of car shows where he won many trophies with his black 1939 Ford pickup truck.
In his spare time you could catch him playing pool with his friends and he enjoyed early morning coffee with the boys at Martin’s garage.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Sally Owens and a brother Carl Owens.
He is survived by his four children Rebecca Inzerello of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Reberta Marlow of Bloomfield, IA, Reva Owings of New Bloomfield, MO and Renita Bruno of Memphis, MO.
Robert married Ella (McHenry) Rossiter August 22,1982 at the Memphis United Methodist Church, she survives along with her four children and their families, Laura Ruth (David)) McCartney of Memphis, Marilyn Rossiter (John Leithoff) of Payson, IL, Robert Rossiter of Kansas City, MO, and Anita Simerl of Memphis, MO, step-grandchildren David McCartney & Candace- Danielle & Richard Speaks, Constance & Alex Clifford, Elizabeth Smith in Quincy,IL, Memphis Leithoff of Payson, IL , Andrew & Morgan Smith, Jordyn & Dyllyn-Ashtyn & Reagyn Simerl, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, 16 step-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his siblings, George Owings (Sheila) of Memphis, MO, Newt Owings of Sarasota, FL, and Tom Owings of Memphis, MO, Mary (Mike) Nauman of St. Louis, MO, Myrtle Owings of St. Louis, MO, Cora Owens of Clarence, MO, and Larry (Jeanette) Owens of Clarence, MO, his sister-in-law, Louise Boone, a nephew, Jeff (Stacy) McHenry along with many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Memorials in lieu of flowers are suggested to the Scotland County Cancer Fund and may be left at or mailed to the Payne Funeral Chapel, 202 E. Madison St., Memphis, MO, 63555.
Funeral services were held Tuesday morning, February 18, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. at the Memphis United Methodist Church with Pastor Donna Clark Fuller officiating assisted by Pastor Josh Black. Interment followed in the Memphis Cemetery with full military honors being provided by the Memphis V.F.W. Post #4958 and the U.S. Air Force of the Missouri Military Honors Program.
Pallbearers were Keith Archer, Roger Smith, George Owings, Stu Cline, Brian Holton, and David McCartney. Honorary pallbearers were Tom Owings, Larry Owens, Newt Owings, Don Price, Doc Wiggins, Daniel McCartney, Tim Current, David McCartney, and Jerry Grosenkemper.
Online condolences may be shared with the Ownings family by logging onto Payne’s website at paynefuneralchapel. com
Arrangements were entrusted to the care of the Payne Funeral Chapel in Memphis.
