Founder and President
Lealon Lamar Owens
In Loving Memory
July 30, 1932 - August 10, 2001
This town lost a good friend in the passing of Lealon Owens
This town lost a very good friend this past week, Lealon Owens passed from this earth on August 10, 2001 after a four year battle with cancer and other health problems. He will be greatly missed, not just by his family; but by the thousands of people whose lives he has touched and greatly enriched by this ministry, not only on T.V. 53, but anywhere he happened to be. His love and dedication to God, family, T.V. 53, and to the people of Booneville was evident no matter how far he traveled. I'm sure that there are plenty of people in Mexico and Oklahoma that will never forget this humble and gentle man who spoke of his love for God and concern for his fellow man, while fighting for his own life. How many of us can say that we live for God each day and put Him before anything else? Not too many I'm ashamed to say.
The more Bro. Lealon accomplished the more he desired to do. He was never one to sit back and let things happen. Everyone has always been welcome at T.V. 53, no matter what side of the tracks you came from. For some people around town this didn't set too well. Popularity was one thing that Bro. Lealon didn't worry about. Pleasing the right people never bothered him either, he would give you the same respect that you gave to him. As long as Bro. Lealon did God's work and pleased him, he offered no apologies to anyone else. How many of us can say that we are that true to God's Word?
How fortunate I feel to have had T.V. 53, with Bro. Lealon and his wife Jewel, in my family's life since it first started. Will and I have always supported the station through the years in small ways, because we always knew what blessings and uplifting comfort it gives to the people in nursing homes, the sick, the lonely and the ones that can't get out and go to church regularly. To many, it was their church!!!
After my Will was diagnosed with cancer there were a lot of times that we tuned in to T.V. 53 to be comforted by the prayer and uplifting songs that were sent our way. No one can ever put a price on the blessings or comfort that we received during those times.
No, I don't think that this town gave him credit for all the things that he was able to accomplish. He was never given the key to the city, voted the man of the year, or asked to preach at some of the larger churches here in Booneville , but during his life he struggled every day to make this a better world for all of us. We can be comforted by the fact that God knows all the lives that Bro. Lealon has touched and that's all that really matters in the end.
I, for one, will strive harder each and every day that I live and will always thank God that Bro. Lealon Owens has been such a blessing in our life and knowing him and his dedication has challenged me to all that I can do to be a better person.
So many times we don't appreciate or realize what we have until we lose it. One of Bro . Lealon's most loved and requested songs was, "Have I Done My Best For Jesus?". I think anyone who knew or worked with him would quickly answer, "Yes, Bro, Lealon, you have done your best for Jesus."
Written By: Judy George
