Owen W. Southard

Southard, Owen W., 84, died March 24, 2007. Arrangements are in the care of Fero Funeral Home, Beverly Hills, FL.     BEVERLY HILLS, FL – Owen W. Southard died on 3/24/2007 after a long illness. Owen was born December 27, 1922 in Presque Isle, Maine where he would spend his childhood.
    He was the oldest of five children born to Rachel and Winfield Southard. Owen, a natural athlete, played basketball and tennis in high school where his friends came to call him “Doc”. Following high school he attended the University of Maine at Orono. He continued playing sports, including tennis; and he won the State Championship in tennis one year. Owen is a veteran of the United States Army. From January 1945 – May 1946 Owen served as a Radio Operator in Central Europe/Rhineland for the 402nd Field Artillery Battalion 42nd Division during World War II. He received an honorable discharge and was awarded the Bronze Star, EAME Campaign medal, Good Conduct medal, and World War II Victory medal. Owen met and married his beloved wife, Rheta Mae (Robinson) Southard in 1949 and soon started their family. Over the years they raised their two loving daughters Marilyn and Nancy and were known for planning trips around the county involving camping, fishing, family and friends. Owen and Rheta relocated to Rhinebeck, New York in 1964 where he began working in the  Hyde Park School District as a teacher and guidance counselor. He remained there for over 19 years. Prior to teaching in Hyde Park he taught history at the Ro-Jan High School in Hillsdale, New York; Presque Isle High School in Presque Isle, Maine; and the Farrington School in Augusta, Maine. He coached several sports at each of these schools. He retired to Florida in 1983 and spent the next several years traveling between Florida, New York and Maine where he and Rheta would visit their children, grandchildren, friends and extended family. Fondly referred to since college as “The Big O” by most he will be remembered for his undying devotion to his family, his commitment to the education and counseling of children, his life-long friends, the love of music and playing piano “by ear”. Most of all, Owen always loved a good laugh. He will be dearly missed.
    Owen is survived by his devoted wife of 57 years – Rheta; their two daughters – Marilyn Miller and Nancy Southard; their four grandchildren – Aliza, Jake, Zach and Aaron; two of his siblings – Phyllis Rentchler and Norma Soellner; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is predeceased by his brother – Clayton Southard and his sister – Elva Stevenson.
    All services were held on Friday, March 30, 2007. Calling hours from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Memorial service immediately followed at 3:00 p.m. Fero Funeral Home, 5955 North Lecanto Highway, Beverly Hills, Florida 34465. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to: Hospice of Citrus County, P.O. Box 614270, Beverly Hills, FL 34464.