 Owen Glen Lockwood succumbed to a brief but difficult illness on August 31, 2017. His spirit remains strong and vital in the hearts of his loving family, friends, and those with whom he crossed paths over the 69 years of his life.Born in Cleveland, Ohio on January 20, 1948, Owen was the youngest child and only son of Owen and Edith Lockwood. Before moving to Las Cruces, his family lived in Albuquerque, N.M., and Boulder Colo., where he learned to love the mountains and wildlife of the West. This passion for the outdoors would largely shape the man known to his friends and community. He was a strong supporter and participant in local chapters of the Wild Turkey Federation and NM Quail Unlimited clubs. Over the years, he assisted with youth hunts, gun safety training, and projects designed to protect and expand the wildlife habitat of the surrounding desert and mountains. In 2011, he helped lay out the MVSS Skeet, Trap, and Sporting Clays range for the Butterfield Range west of Las Cruces.Owen was a registered Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor. He retired as Assistant Director of Operations and Utilities for the Physical Plant Department after 25 years of service to NMSU. Projects he helped work on included among others: the placement and alignment of the Sundial in the Horse shoe in front of Hadley Hall, the drainage design for the original field of the NMSU Football Stadium, and the erection of the KRWG tower on Tortugas (“A”) Mountain. During his tenure, he was heavily involved in the land issues and water resources of the college as well as utilities and the development of cogeneration capabilities. In recognition of his strong work ethic and outstanding services to New Mexico State University, he was awarded the Stephen W. and Robert E. Roberts Award on January 12, 1995. After retiring from NMSU, he worked with the Dave Blanchard Engineering and Surveying Company before returning briefly to work for NMSU’s real estate office. Guided by a strong sense of duty, he served greatly during his brief time and will be missed by his family, friends and two bird dogs, Maddie and Suki. He is survived by Jenny, his wife of 42 years, son Russell Jacob Lockwood, daughter-in-law Marissa and grandson Julian, sister Barbara Corkins, nephews Jim and Marcus Corkins, Steve Gustafson, Joe Ruth and niece Jan Vuicich. He was preceded in death by his parents Owen and Edith Lockwood and sisters Judy Bean and Nancy Price. A sincere thankyou goes out to those who made his last days easier by stopping in to offer support and friendship. A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, September 27 at noon in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Las Cruces, 2000 S. Solano Dr., Las Cruces, NM. Traveling the surrounding landscape in future days, you may come to feel his presence at peace with the land and in the company of his Brittanybuddies Katie and Jacque who have been waiting for him. “Home is the sailor, home from sea, And the hunter home from the Arrangements are with La Paz-Graham’s Funeral Home 555 West Amador LasCruces NM, 88005. To sign the online guest book visit http://www.LaPaz-Grahams.com Published in Las Cruces Sun-News on Sept. 10, 2017
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