FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From Marine to Mission-Maker: Northern Kentucky Celebrates Deacon Larry Owen
Northern Ky. — U.S. Marine Veteran, Kentucky Colonel, educator, coach, conservation leader, and faithful Deacon Larry Owen is being honored for more than 30 years of servant leadership that has strengthened families, schools, churches, veterans, and communities across Northern Kentucky.
Known by many as a “Home of the Brave Hero,” Deacon Owen’s life reflects the highest ideals of duty, compassion, and community commitment. After serving his country as a United States Marine, he continued serving at home as a teacher and basketball coach in Covington Independent Schools, mentoring students in teamwork, perseverance, sportsmanship, and character. Through the free Sportsmanship CHAMP Camp he helped lead with his son Jibril, he invested in young people not only as athletes, but as future leaders.
Even in his teaching retirement, Larry’s service also extends through First Baptist Church of Elsmere, where he serves as a Deacon, and throughout the region as a volunteer, advocate, and bridge-builder. As the first African American elected Supervisor of the Kenton County Soil & Water Conservation District Board, Deacon Owen has helped protect the land, water, and air that sustain local families. Commissioned as a Commonwealth Ambassador by KY Secretary of State Michael Adams and commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel by KY Governor Andy Beshear, Larry Owen continues to demonstrate that patriotism is lived through action long after military service ends.
Deacon Owen’s work is especially meaningful at a time when veteran care and community connection remain urgent national priorities. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 6,398 Veterans died by suicide in 2023, an average of 17.5 Veteran suicides per day, underscoring the importance of local advocates who promote prevention, awareness, and hope. Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Inspired by faith and service, Deacon Owen’s example echoes the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who said, “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.” Scripture also affirms this calling: “Serve one another humbly in love” (Galatians 5:13). Deacon Owen has lived that charge through classrooms, church ministry, veterans’ advocacy, conservation leadership, and hands-on outreach.
Alongside his wife, Kentucky Colonel Serena Owen, Deacon Owen has helped make service a family mission. Since 2010, the Owen family has recognized over 250 Community Heroes who give back to their school and community and since 2020, the Owen family has helped distribute food from the Cincinnati Freestore Foodbank and local farmers, feeding more than 500 people and families each month. When neighbors are elderly, sick, homebound, or without transportation, Deacon Owen ensures that food with care arrives at their door.
The Owen family shared the following statement: “Congratulations to our Home of the Brave Hero, U.S. Marine Veteran Larry Owen! Thank you for over 30 years of commitment and loving service to our families, our students and schools as a teacher, coach, and mentor, our churches as a faithful Deacon, our community as a conservation leader who protects our land, water, and air, a Commonwealth Ambassador who feeds over 500 people and families each month, and a Kentucky Colonel who advocates and volunteers to help with Veteran suicide prevention. We love and appreciate you. Congratulations and thank you for your service!”
From Marine service to ministry, from education to conservation, from youth mentorship to veteran suicide prevention awareness, his life mission reminds Northern Kentucky that heroes are not only honored in ceremonies. They are found in the people who keep showing up, keep giving back, and keep building a better tomorrow.
