Owen Francis Lusk

Owen F. Lusk, 91, of Brandon, joined his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Monday, June 2, 2025 at his home surrounded by family. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 5 in the chapel of First Baptist Church of Jackson. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service in the chapel.  Burial will follow at Lakewood Memorial Park in Jackson, MS.  Ott and Lee Funeral Home directing.  

A native of Cleveland, Miss., Owen was an award-winning newspaperman and an acclaimed advertising executive for 60 years and served communities in Mississippi, Texas and Arkansas. He was a past president of the Mississippi Press Association and was recognized by the Arkansas Press Association with its Golden 50 Award. His newspaper career began while a Cleveland High School student as a carrier for the Memphis Commercial Appeal and the Cleveland Bolivar Commercial. Owen served a stint in the U.S. Air Force, serving overseas during the Suez Crisis. He ended his working years as a business development officer for Bancorp South.

In July, Owen and wife, Lacy (his high school sweetheart), would have marked their 69th wedding anniversary. The marriage was underpinned by faith, family and devotion, setting a wonderful example for their children Beth (Mark) Barger of Greenwood, Lane (Dan) Davis of Brandon, Diane (Toxey) Haas of West Point, and Clif (Buffy) Lusk of Troy, Ala., all of whom survive him. Moreover, Owen’s legacy includes 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

At the core of his being was an unwavering faith in God. Walking the aisle at Boyle Baptist Church at 13 years of age, Owen served as an ordained deacon for more than 60 years (in every church he attended). Over the years, he was Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian, but remarked that he was “bound to return to my Southern Baptist roots.”

Owen summed up his beliefs by saying: “Serving the Lord in whatever capacity He needs has been the honor of my life, just ahead of my wife and our family. I believe that anything I’ve been able to do and accomplish has been God’s ordained will for my life, and my belief in Him is the underpinning of my existence.”

Owen was known far and wide for his infectious smile and firm handshake. He never met a stranger, only new friends. He would say that regardless of his job titles, his life’s work was in “relationship development.” He loved singing in the choirs of his church and had a definite affinity for the “fast songs.”

He was active in the communities that he and Lacy called home. A Rotarian for more than 40 years, most recently a member of the Jackson club, Owen served as District 5160 District Governor 2010-2011, was recognized as a major donor and multiple Paul Harris Fellow. He was a board member of Habitat for Humanity, and was involved with the Main Street program, Boy Scouts, Chambers of Commerce, Relay for Life and various local and state-level leadership programs, among others.

He studied business at Mississippi State University, Mississippi College and Cambridge University.

Owen is preceded in death by his parents, Owen B. Lusk and Erlene Hanson Lusk; one sister, Doris Lusk; and brother-in-law, Jimmy Dempsey.

In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by 13 grandchildren: Ashley Lane Davis, Peyton Cardis (Daniel), Maidee Parker Campbell (Will), Alan Barger (Margie), Lacy Johnson (Patrick), Garrison Barger, Sara Frances Stubbs (Vandy), Daniel Haas (Caroline), Neill Haas (Hillary), Clifton Lusk, Jr. (Melissa), Capt. Dr. Caitie Lusk, Dr. Mary Lacy Lusk, and May Morgan Lusk; and 18 great-grandchildren.

The family expresses their gratitude to the professionals of Baptist Hospice and Ms. Danielle Williams for their loving care of Owen in his final months.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Rotary International’s Polio Plus program in Owen’s memory, or St. Jude’s Children Hospital, The Children’s Hospital of Mississippi at UMMC, or a charity of your choice.