Mather Owen had his 80th birthday on Sunday March 7th, 2010. Mather is an ordained United Methodist minister and a licensed counselor and therapist. He retired after 30 years of service as a Chaplain in the State of Texas hospital system in Gatesville, Austin, Wichita Falls and Vernon.
Mather is 80. He has served on our Church staff since 1994 as the resident counselor and therapist, working 20-30 hours a week. He receives no financial remuneration from the church or his clients. The number of people who have been helped by Mather is mind boggling. God has used him to bring healing and hope to thousands of people in our community and beyond.
Mather is 80. He serves on the DFW Alzheimer’s Association board, works as a consultant for the Huguley Supervised Ministry and Chaplaincy program, and is affiliated with the Tarrant County AIDS outreach ministries.
Mather is 80. He reads every day keeping current on those topics that enhance his counseling skills. Mather tinkers in his shop, bakes bread, exercises, cuts down trees, put up his own Christmas lights, fells dead trees like an East Texas lumberjack and plants a garden every spring. He drives a beat up 1986 red Chevy Pick Up that runs because of Mather’s tender loving care and mechanic skills.
Mather is 80. He sings in the choir, serves on the Staff Development team, attends weekly staff meetings, preaches and helps in worship as needed and is a program resource for staff at a moment’s notice.
Mather is 80. He is till courting his wife Jane after 56 years. His four children and their spouses and ten grandchildren call upon him to repair cars and household items, and provide emergency transportation, produce from his garden and bread from his and Jane’s kitchen. Mather travels far and near attending ballgames, concerts, pageants and graduations of his grandchildren.
Mather is 80. He likes taking long walks with his Wife, rising early to cook a good breakfast after reading Gods word, staying up late to watch old Westerns and telling funny stories and corny jokes.
Mather is 80. Though it may sound like it, Mather is not perfect. He is the first to admit he is a broken, sinful man in need of a Savior and Lord. He is not a perfect husband, a perfect father, a perfect grandfather, a perfect counselor or a perfect friend. He has flaws, weaknesses and blind spots.
Mather is not perfect, but he has been and is the perfect man, example, helper, friend and dad to me.
Happy Birthday Dad.
Keep Living Life Strong!
I love you….. Rick
