Pastor Paul A. Owens
August 7, 1950 - March 29, 2026
Pastor Paul A. Owens, age 75, of Laurel, DE, passed away on Sunday, March 29, 2026.
Born in Wilmington, DE, on August 7, 1950, he was the son of the late Glenn and Mildred (Lyons) Owens. Pastor Paul joined the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War, and was sent to Chile, where he was placed in the home of Southern Baptist missionaries. This placement changed the course of his life. While he was there, he felt God was calling him to be a pastor. He spent the rest of his life following that call.
From 1982-1987, he pastored at St. Paul, Trinity, and Shiloh United Methodist charges in Laurel, DE. In 1987, Pastor Paul was appointed to the Kirkwood United Methodist Church in Kirkwood, DE. From the old Kirkwood Church was birthed Cornerstone Church, now known as Christ the Cornerstone. Pastor Paul served for 35 years until his retirement in 2019. He enjoyed spending time with his family, whom he loved very much.
In addition to his parents, Pastor Paul was preceded in death by his son, Timothy Smith Owens; and wife, Vicki Jo (Daffara) Owens. He is survived by his loving wife of 16 years, Kathleen (Wood) Owens; children, Jason M. Owens, Joy E. Jackson (Chris), Kelly McPherson (Brad), Stephen Minkin (Jane), and Ashley Nawasreh (Zak); siblings, June Vickers, Nancy Bartell, and Elaine Collins; grandchildren, Caleb, Anna, Joshua, Titus, Samuel, Abbi, Eli, Emmi, Aaron, Austin, Yahya, and Noah; and canine companion, Annie.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 4 pm until 7 pm on Monday, April 6, 2026, at Christ the Cornerstone Church, 3135 Summit Bridge Road, Bear, DE. A funeral service will begin at 11 am on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at the church. Interment will follow in Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 North DuPont Highway, New Castle, DE.
Any loved ones who are unable to attend the service for Pastor Paul, may live stream the service by clicking here.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Pastor Paul’s memory to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P.O. Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741 or online by clicking here; or to Bayshore Community Church Children’s Ministry, 36759 Millsboro Highway, Millsboro, DE 19966 or online by clicking here.
Dawn Lazarczyk
My Condolences to Joy & Jason & Family
You know how much I love your Dad
Rest In Peace pastor Paul.
Ginger Carroll
My heart goes out to you, Kathleen and to all of the family.
Natalie Runyon
May Pastor Paul rest in peace with the lord for all eternity.
Ron Herdman
Dear Jason,
So sorry to hear about the passing of your Dad. My deepest sympathies to you and your family.
Much love,
Ron Herdman
Las Vegas, NV
Cyndi Haley
My sincere condolences. Paul was a loving and caring person to our family always! He was dearly loved!
Nikkie
Sending love and prayers for all. Pastor Paul truly blessed my family with his kindness and grace. We are so grateful to have such a wonderful friend and pastor who shared his life and love with us and so many.
justina Quindlen
My heart goes out to everyone! He was a great Pastor and he did his job very well! RIP 💕
Charles R. Whealton
Pastor Paul was an absolutely awesome individual. He was running the show at the (then) Cornerstone Church when our son began daycare there. We have Cornerstone and Pastor Paul’s awesome decision making to thank for our son’s great experience that continued into kindergarten, the Cub Scouts, and the Boy Scouts where Charlie earned his Eagle Scout. You will absolutely be missed by all of us, Pastor Paul.
David Young
Paul was a special man and a guiding light for our family for years, and like many at Cornerstone he provided uplifting comfort and support during Tammy’s illness. Now she and Paul are having a wonderful reunion. Heartfelt condolences to Kathleen and family.
Jan Waugaman
Kathleen & Family, I’m so sorry for your loss. Pastor Paul was such a kind and special person and Pastor. He will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Jan Waugaman
Vern Bryant
Pastor Paul was an amazing person. Many years ago we both served on The Board of Ordained Ministry. I was blessed to be able to share a ride to many of the meetings with him. He would stop by the parsonage and pick me up. From the time I got into his car, until the time we arrived at the destination, it was a laugh a minute. We would talk about various things. Occasionally we would also share a meal together. He was a man who was deeply passionate and committed to his faith and his family. Sometimes he would call me just to say hello. He would always try to prank me with a fake name. Of course, I always knew that it was Paul. My condolences to his family. I pray that the God of peace and strength give you comfort during this time knowing that Paul is secure in the arms of our Lord.
Blessings,
Pastor Vern Bryant
Shelly & Ed Perry
This is such sad news. Pastor Paul married my husband and I back in 1997. He was an amazing Pastor who had SO many friends at Christ the Cornerstone. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Sherise Wood
Rest in peace Pastor Paul. Your love, life, memory and legacy will continue to produce the seeds you planted while here.
Grace, peace and strength to the family!
Sherise
Nancy & Bob Bartell
Dear Brother, you are greatly missed. Thank you for the fun years growing up and for the wonderful leadership role you took on as pastor, father, friend and brother. We miss you dearly but you will always have a special place in our hearts. Your loving sister, Nancy
Keith &Stephanie Harris
May God our father give your family peace and comfort throughout this time of great loss. And thank you, pastor Paul for helping us start our journey in Christ.
Mary Unglesbee
Our prayers and condolences to Kathleen, Jason, Joy, and family. Paul will be dearly missed. We love you. Bob & Mary Unglesbee
Donna Carver
Paul will be missed by many who loved him dearly…my family included! He was not only our pastor, but our families were friends for many years. My heart aches for those he left behind, including Kathleen, Joy, Jason and his many grandchildren. All who knew him will have fond memories of Paul, and he will remain in their hearts until they meet him again in his heavenly home, where he now lives with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May Paul rest in peace, and may God’s peace that transcends understanding fall upon his family and all who knew and loved him!
Marian Rees
Sorry for your loss 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Jayme B Jackson
So sorry for the loss of Pastor Paul for family and friends. He was certainly my rope for my anchor to Christ and Baptized me in my 40’s.
Terri Hamlon
My condolences to the family. Pastor Paul was a gifted minister. I miss hearing the word through him.
Kay McMahon
Kathleen, Joy, Jason and to all the family, please accept my sincere condolences on your loss. Pastor Paul was a great man and faithful servant of the Lord. I was so blessed to receive his teaching and leadership for years. I pray you feel that peace that surpasses understanding as you go through this journey of grief.
Sandra @Ted Morris
The Kingdom just got a little brighter when this dear sweet man enters his journey there ,he was more than life here on earth as well. And he will never ever be forgotten here in many peoples lives. Sending prayers of comfort to this family and loved ones for he is with Christ. Love from Ted and Sandi Morris
Eric Schwartz
Sometime in the mid 90s, when my daughter was 5 or 6, she was with her mom driving by Cornerstone and asked why we didn’t go to church. The following Sunday, we were at Cornerstone and then attended regularly for many years. Pastor Paul made his sermons very relatable. As everyone who knew him can attest, he had so many redeeming qualities. The one that stands out most to me was his humility. He was truly a humble servant to God and others!
I’m so sorry for your loss. He will remain in my heart forever.