John Franklin Owensby

John Franklin Owensby, 77, of Kernersville, passed away on Friday, November 4, 2022. He was born and raised in Gastonia, NC on March 3, 1945 to the late Paul Ausbert Owensby and Jessie Davis Owensby. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Connie Carter Owensby, and brothers, David Paul Owensby and Robert Douglas Owensby. John is survived by his daughters, Meredith Owensby Harrell (Barry), of Greensboro, and Jennifer Owensby Eminger (Corey), of Kernersville; son, John Paul Owensby (Susan), of Lookout Mountain, Georgia; grandchildren, Charles Paul, Carter, John Harrison, Nathan, Alison and Daniel; and his sister, Susan Owensby Dozier, of Houston, TX. John graduated from Frank L. Ashley High School, and then from Guilford College in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He earned his Masters of Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. John was the managing editor/publisher of the Kernersville News, from 1986 until his death. He began his career at the Kernersville News in the late 1970s. Prior to this, John was a member of the Army National Guard, and was a school teacher and coach in Fort Mill, SC. John was an avid runner. He was a two time finisher of the Western States 100 mile Endurance Run and a finisher of the Vermont 100. He participated in more than 120 marathons and ultra-marathons, often running with his late dog, Maggie. John had served on the board of directors and committees of several organizations, including the Kernersville Medical Center Foundation, Main Street United Methodist Church, and the Kernersville Chamber of Commerce. He was co-founder of Kernersville Cares for Kids and the Kernersville Christmas Stocking Fund. John was dedicated to Kernersville, his family, and his church. He had the gift of balancing dutiful work with a love for the outdoors, engaging conversation, and showering his family and friends with affection. A funeral service will take place at Main Street United Methodist Church on Tuesday, November 15 at 3 p.m., with a committal to follow in the church cemetery. A reception will be held in the church commons following the committal. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the Kernersville Christmas Stocking Fund, 504 South Main Street, Kernersville, NC 27284. Friends and family may sign, and view the guestbook at www.Pierce-JeffersonFuneralService.com