Reverend Owen Franklin Ireland

Reverend Owen Franklin Ireland

August 28, 1927-January 26, 2025

“When the dreams you're dreamin' come to you, when the work you put in is realized; Let yourself feel the pride, but always stay humble and kind” –Tim McGraw

Owen Ireland reflected humility in his accomplishments and pride in his family. He served his nation during two wars, loved one woman through 54 years of marriage, raised four sons, and pastored Presbyterian churches across the Midwest and South Florida. After he settled into a retirement community he served as the friendly clerk in the sundry store on campus for most of the last ten years of his life. Owen was preceded in death by his wife Jean Downey Ireland and is survived by four sons: Shawn, Ken, Joel and Matthew, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild. Owen was born in Braintree, MA but raised in the Midwest. After graduating from high school in Indianapolis he was called to Naval Service in the Second World War. After the war he became a fireman on steam locomotives, shoveling coal as the trains barreled through the darkness between Indianapolis and Cincinnati. He was recalled to Naval service during the Korean Conflict. After release from active duty, he moved to South Florida and enrolled at the University of Miami, utilizing his GI Bill. It was there where he met Jean Downey, the daughter of a prominent Presbyterian minister in South Florida. Jean and Owen were married in November 1954. Owen completed his seminary training at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago and was ordained a Presbyterian minister in April 1959. For nearly two decades, he served churches in Illinois, Indiana and Missouri before moving to Fort Lauderdale to serve as Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church. In addition to serving in church ministry he was a Pastoral Counselor. He and Jean moved to the Pensacola area in the late 1980’s, where he served as a hospital chaplain and a hospice chaplain. Upon retirement they relocated to Lake County, Florida until Jean’s death in 2009. He moved to Winter Park in 2010 and found joy in serving the community of retirees at Westminster Winter Park Towers. He was known and loved by the residents and many of the staff there, including some who referred to the chatty, outgoing gentleman as “their grandpa.” His greatest joys later in life were time spent with his sons and grandchildren, particularly his local granddaughters, and roaming around the backroads of central Florida, exploring the byways he first traversed 70 years earlier.

A Memorial Service is planned for Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 11:00 AM at the Cathedral Church of St Luke in downtown Orlando. The family encourages everyone who knew Owen to attend. He will be interred at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell on Monday, February 24, 2025. 

Owen’s life reflected the command of the Old Testament prophet Micah, “What does the Lord require of you but to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8).

The family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to one of three charitable organizations; Dachshund Rescue of North America (https://drna.org/), Headstrong Project (https://theheadstrongproject.org/) or the Cathedral Church of St Luke--Orlando music department (https://www.ccslorlando.org/give).