Owen Richard Bae

Owen Richard Bae, 91, of Orem, Utah, passed away on Saturday, April 5, 2025. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel, 80 South 280 East, Orem, UT.

Owen Richard Bae: son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather. Owen was born on September 4th, 1933, in Yuba City, California, to Truman and Lela Bae. He was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother, Warren Edmond Bae. Owen is survived by his wife Joyce, daughters Melodie Reese (Bryce), Janine Whitaker (Terry), Cheryl Flake (Jeff), and son Gary (Margarita), 10 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.

Owen was always happy and one of the friendliest people you ever met. For anyone who knew him, he was genuinely your friend—without question. Waving at strangers on the sidewalk from the car as he drove by was a regular occurrence as he asked, “I wonder where he’s going?” Laughter was common in any group setting when Owen was around. Movie theaters were places to laugh out loud, often to his children’s dismay. But, Owen always enjoyed a good Peter Sellers or Chevy Chase movie and never missed a new James Bond movie.

Owen grew up in Marysville, California, and served in many capacities in both school and church. A childhood highlight was when Owen met Jackie Robinson while serving as a bat boy for the Milwaukee Braves farm team in Marysville. He later met Vern Law, who would go on to win the CY Young Award in 1960 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Owen was Student Body President at Marysville High School, Junior Class President, star musician in band orchestra and dance band (playing clarinet and saxophone), and Salutatorian of his graduating class. Owen attended the University of California, Berkeley, on an academic scholarship before serving his mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Great Lakes Mission. He eventually finished at Brigham Young University and Chico State University with a master’s degree in music education. Owen was an Air Force reservist for six years.

Owen married the love of his life, Joyce Gardner, on Valentine’s Day in 1957. Owen loved his wife and family above everything else in his life. Owen and Joyce served a full-time mission in Cove Fort, Utah. They were natural missionaries and loved sharing the rich history of the Fort and their testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ. A hobby of his was tracking the weather in each of his children’s locality every day. If you wanted to know what your weather was going to be—just ask Owen. Another hobby was being a devoted fan of the San Francisco Giants and 49ers. Owen loved his family, his friends, and everyone he met. As soon as he would meet you, you were his friend—or at least he was yours.

Owen loved music. Other than his family, his life-long affair with music started early and endured for over 80 years. His primary instruments were the clarinet and saxophone, but he eventually learned to play any instrument you can imagine in a band. Playing the saxophone was his happy place. From playing in jazz bands in high school to marching bands at Cal Berkeley and throughout his professional career, Owen was one of the best saxophone players of his generation. His choice to be a band director and district music supervisor for Pleasant Valley High School and Chico Unified School District for the majority of his professional career defined much of his life. He loved his students, his music, and most of all, winning the many trophies his bands won competing across California. Returning with his bands to march on the field at Cal Berkeley halftime shows was a crowning achievement to his life-long love of music.

Owen Bae: Happy, loving, and friend to all. A devoted disciple of Christ, Owen fulfilled many church callings throughout his life. As a husband and father for nearly seventy years, his life was spent serving his wife and children with everything he had. His wealth was measured in family and friendships—because of which, his blessings and treasures in heaven will be immeasurable. Happy trails, Owen, on a life well-lived. We love you.

Condolences for the family may be expressed on this page.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.https://philanthropies.churchofjesuschrist.org/

Services will be broadcast through Zoom, to watch the Live Broadcast of the service please click the link below.

https://zoom.us/j/94580387127