He was in the United States Air Force from 1952 to 1954, continuing his service in the United States Air Force Reserve from 1954 to 1968.
He was secretary-treasurer of the Southeastern Mortgage Company in Albany from 1959 to 1962.
He was an Assistant United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, stationed in Macon from 1962 to 1965, thereafter returning to private practice in Macon until 1972.
[1] On January 21, 1972, Owens was nominated by President Richard Nixon to a seat on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia vacated by Judge William Augustus Bootle.
Owens was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 17, 1972, and received his commission on March 1, 1972.