Owen Marcellus Vessels

Owen Marcellus Vessels of Georgetown, Texas, a devout Catholic, a dutiful husband, loving father, and amazing grandfather and great-grandfather, passed peacefully from this life into the eternal presence of Jesus Christ on May 5, 2026.

Owen was born on January 28, 1941, in Rineyville, Kentucky, to Martin and Elizabeth Vessels. Owen proudly attended St. Joseph’s All-Boys Catholic High School, where he would meet his eternal soulmate, Joyce Spalding, during a school dance with the neighboring all-girls school. Owen and Joyce married in 1961 and spent the next 65 years together until his passing. Owen and Joyce started their life together at Castle Air Force base in central California where Owen proudly served his country and excelled as a B-52 mechanic.

After the Air Force, Owen was hired by IBM and returned to Kentucky. In 1968, Owen transferred to Austin, where he raised his four children – Tom, Joe, Cathy, and Tammy. As proud as he was of his military service and career at IBM, Owen’s true pride was in being a husband and father. His days were filled with being a Cub Scout leader, Little League board member, watching his children in sports and activities, repairing cars, and teaching his children and grandchildren to ride horses.  Owen was an active member of St. Vincent de Paul and spent many years administering resources to people in need.

Owen leaves behind his wife of 65 years, Joyce, his son Tom Vessels, son Joe Vessels and wife Jill, daughter Cathy Doyle and husband Mitchell, and daughter Tammy Vessels-Walton. Owen was beloved “Pepa” to six grandchildren and two great grandchildren – Ty Vessels and wife Morgan and son Leo, Nick Vessels and wife Andrea and son Dean, Cayleigh Doyle, Jake Vessels and wife Lauren, McKenna Doyle and fiancé David, and Zach Vessels.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society.