Jonathan Barry Owens

Jonathan Barry Owens passed away tragically on May 8, 2023.

Jon was born in Williamsburg, VA, on December 30, 1981. He grew up in Northumberland, PA, with big brother, Greg, playing Transformers when the weather wasn’t pleasant enough to play in the creek to “smash rocks.” Jon’s intense, sky-blue eyes would light up at the sounds of nature as he developed a personal fascination for all that is rhythmic. To say he loved music would be an understatement. In his youth, Jon would spend hours listening to his headphones, finding peace.

As Jon grew, so did his love and appreciation for music and an alternative lifestyle. As a teen, he loved going to punk shows but listened to all types of genres. Bush, The Notorious BIG, and Third Eye Blind may have inspired his band, Far-Fetched, which he formed while living in Oil City, a suburb outside of Pittsburgh. He then graduated from Oil City High School in 2000. Following bands like The Cure, Black Flag, and Wu-Tang Clan, music was a way for Jon to make friends and connect with others.

His independence, drive, and sense of adventure led him to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. With a high school education and limited experience, it wasn’t until one faithful day in 2002 that Jon walked into a Dickson City tattoo parlor seeking a desk position and met his future ride-or-die, Marc Fairchild. They would share a lifelong love for tattoos, casinos, family, and excitement. It was fair to say his interest was sparked. He would inevitably meet his dear friend and soon-to-be mentor, Steve Gulbin. Steve would help shape his future and teach him the art of Body Piercing in 2003. He would share this skill with the community for decades, and with each piercing, he would gain a new friend. He was so grateful to become a mentor to others pursuing the same passion.

While he mastered the skills of Piercer, his hard work, and dedication eventually led him to join Marc as a business partner in 2011. His colleagues knew him as someone who loved to rage out to the heaviest of metal and belt out Justin Bieber just as enthusiastically.

It wasn’t until 2011 that he met the love of his life, Chelsea Yenason. The pair were married in 2014, and in 2016 gave birth to their son, Theodore Alan, who lovingly goes by Tay. Jon would teach Tay the arts of mushroom hunting, chicken tending, salamander catching, and, most importantly, a respect for nature. On most Sundays in the spring, you could find them riding on the lawn mower together. Summer evenings were spent playing guitar by the fire and lighting up the night with fireworks. Jon’s love for his son was unmatched.

Jon carried a passion for ice hockey, especially his Pittsburgh Penguins. He enjoyed Eat N’ Park, Black Jack, tattoo conventions, vintage oddities, art collecting, kayaking, yoga, and, of course, music.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Ellen Louise Cook.

Jon is survived by his wife, Chelsea and his son, Tay; his father, Alan Barry Owens and step-mother, Mary L. Owens; brother, Gregory Paul Owens; step-sister, Julie Kosoglow and her husband, Mark; and step-sister, Jere Engle, and her partner, Judi. He will also be sorely missed by his nieces and nephews. As Jon so often referred to himself as a “pretend farmer” there is a whole “farm” that will be missing him very much. Along with his family, both blood and chosen.

Celebration of Jon’s Life takes place on Friday, May 12, 2023, with visitation from 4 to 7 PM at McLaughlin’s, 142 South Washington Street in Wilkes-Barre.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to support the Owens family in this difficult time: bit.ly/owensfamily

Share memories and condolences with Jon’s family at mjmclaughlin.com