Ed Owens, a man known for his grand grin and his wonderful way with people, retired from public service in August with a smile on his face and a tear in his eye.

In a heartfelt, and sometimes emotional, farewell address to well-wishers who gathered in Huntsville, the former TDCJ deputy executive director closed out 30 years of government service on August 17.

The TDCJ correctional officer driving the passenger van carrying nine offenders didn’t see the dump truck coming until it was too late. The last thing she heard before losing consciousness was the screeching of brakes and a loud crash.