Tara Jean Owen

Tara Jean Hardin Owen was born September 1, 1973 in Marietta, Georgia. She was the daughter of Don Alan and Dian Sue (Thomas) Hardin. She moved her with family to Stillwater, Oklahoma where she was raised and attended school, graduating from Stillwater High School in 1990.

During the next few years, Tara attended Northern Oklahoma College at Tonkawa and then completed her education at Oklahoma State University where obtained a Bachelor of Science in Sociology in 1996. While attending Oklahoma State, Tara was recognized for her academic achievement on both the Dean's and President's List.

Shortly after her graduation from college, Tara was married to Travis Owen on December 30, 1996. The couple had two daughters, Cailie and Talie Owen. Tara began a career in health care accepting employment at the Stillwater Health Clinic. She later was instrumental in the opening of the Cleveland and Pawnee Health Clinics, serving as director of the Cleveland Health Clinic. Tara was a member of the Sunnybrook Christian Church in Stillwater.

Tara passed away on Saturday, October 12, 2002 at the Cleveland Area Hospital at the age of twenty-nine years, one month and eleven days. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandmothers Ima Jean Thomas and Ruth Thomas; and a paternal grandfather John Thomas Hardin.

She is survived by her husband, Travis Owen, Jenks, Oklahoma; two children, Cailie and Talie Owen, Stillwater, Oklahoma; Parents, Don and Dian Hardin, Stillwater, Oklahoma; Maternal Grandparents, Elgin and Vonta Thomas, Cleveland, Oklahoma; Paternal Grandmother, Bessie Othiel Chenault, Austin, Texas; Sister, Tracy Stephenson, Yukon, Oklahoma; Nephew, Cade Evan Stephenson, Yukon, Oklahoma. Additionally, she is survived by six uncles, Doug Thomas, Altus, Oklahoma, Ken Hardin, Austin, Texas, Brian Hardin, Austin, Texas, Neal Hardin, Austin, Texas, Dale Hardin, Corpus Christi, Texas, Gary Hardin, Austin, Texas as well as their spouses and children.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm, Wednesday, October 16, 2002 at the Chapel of the Chapman-Black Chapel with Dakota Rush officiating.

''Visit and online obituary and guestbook for Tara Owen at www.chapman-black.com.''