Ben Edwin Owens Sr., 92, of Jonesboro, passed away peacefully on June 27, 2026, at the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House at St. Bernards. A devoted husband, father, grandfather and healthcare leader, Owens lived a life marked by faith, vision, humility and extraordinary service.

Born in Alicia, on Dec. 2, 1933, he was shaped by the values of hard work, discipline and perseverance. He graduated from Walnut Ridge High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Arkansas College, now Lyon College, in Batesville. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Korean War era, serving with the Air Force Security Service in San Antonio, Tokyo, and Washington, D.C. Following an honorable discharge, he completed the W.A. Kellogg Course in Hospital Administration at Columbia University and pursued additional executive training at St. Louis University.

“Mr. Owens,” as he was often referred to by those he worked alongside, began his healthcare career in Batesville. He eventually became administrator of North Arkansas Hospital, now White River Medical Center, a post he held for more than a decade.

In July of 1972, he moved his family 65 miles eastward to lead what was then a 252-bed hospital in Jonesboro, St. Bernards Hospital (now St. Bernards Medical Center). After years of moving across the country and globe, he decided to stay.

For the next 38 years, Owens steadily helmed St. Bernards, a tenure without parallel in Arkansas healthcare. St. Bernards grew from a single community hospital into a 400-plus bed medical center that serves 23 counties in Northeast Arkansas and Southeast Missouri. He ultimately advanced from administrator to the organization’s first President and Chief Executive Officer, guiding the addition of cardiovascular care, cancer care, behavioral health services, a women’s diagnostic center, rural health clinics, home health programs and dozens of specialty services to a region that once had few of them. Owens also helped establish hospice services at St. Bernards, eventually giving rise to the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House where he spent his final days.

Owens spearheaded a capital campaign that would bring a cancer treatment center to Jonesboro. He considered this work a crowning achievement, and in response, the city’s mayor, Hubert Brodell, proclaimed an official “Ben Owens Day” in 1989. Later, the St. Bernards Board of Governors named this facility the Ben E. Owens Cancer Treatment Center, which bears his name to this day.

Still, Owens influence extends well beyond St. Bernards. He served as president of the Arkansas Hospital Association, as a Fellow and Regent for Arkansas of the American College of Healthcare Executives and as a longtime trustee for Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. He served on regional and statewide health planning councils and commissions for decades and contributed to advisory boards for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas State University and numerous nursing and allied health programs throughout the state.

His investment in the Jonesboro community was equally deep. Owens served as president of the Greater Jonesboro Area Chamber of Commerce and was one of only two individuals in its history to serve two consecutive years as chairman of the board. He helped found Jonesboro Unlimited. Leadership Jonesboro and Matthews Medical Mile, championed annexation efforts that shaped the city’s modern footprint, and served on the Jonesboro Central Planning Commission, the Airport Commission and the Downtown Improvement District, among many other civic roles.

His decades of service earned wide recognition, including honorary Doctorates of Humane Letters from both Lyon College and Arkansas State University, the A. Allen Weintraub Outstanding Hospital Administrator Award, the Regents Award from the American College of Healthcare Executives, the Distinguished Service Award and Lifetime Achievement Award from the Arkansas Hospital Association, and the Distinguished Alumni Award from Lyon College.

When asked about his life’s work, Owens offered an understated reply: “This is my vocation and my avocation.”

A man of enduring faith, Owens was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church in Jonesboro. He treasured his decades-long partnership with the Olivetan Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent and called it one of the most meaningful experiences of his life. Their founding mission, providing Christ-like healing to the community through education, treatment and health services, was one he embraced fully and carried forward with pride.

In retirement, Mr. Owens remained engaged, serving on the executive committee of the Matthews Medical Mile and continuing to invest in the community he had devoted his life to building. He enjoyed fishing, traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Owens is preceded in death by his father Willis Owens], his mother Ruby Owens, as well as his brother James Carroll Owens (Donna) of Festus, MO

He is survived by his wife, Dixie Lucille Owens, of Jonesboro; his sister Mary Kay Grossman, his son, Dr. Ben Owens Jr., and his wife, Tracy, of Jonesboro; his daughter, Nancy Owens, of Jonesboro; his granddaughters, Christine Hilburn (Garrett) of St. Charles, Missouri, Mary Hensel (DJ) of Nashville, Tennessee, Carli McAllister (Jeremy) of Jonesboro, and McKenzi Hawkins (Matt) of Conway; and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral services are planned for Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at First United Methodist Church in Jonesboro. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 30 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Gregg-Langford-Bookout Funeral Home Chapel. The service will be held the following morning at 10:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church with the Reverend Jacob Lynn officiating and graveside services with family only immediately following with the Reverend John Miles leading.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to St. Bernards Foundation and First United Methodist Church.