ForeverMissed
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Leslie Craig Owens, III,age 25 of Trotwood, Ohio was born in Dayton, Ohio on April 29, 1995. He departed this life unexpectedly on Saturday, March 6, 2021 at St. Elizabeth Ft. Thomas Hospital.

He was preceded in death by his sister Alexis Paige, grandparents JoAnn and Eddie Joe King, Leslie “L.C.” Owens, Sr.

Craig-O as he was affectionately known by his family and friends was a sweet soul whose smile would light up a room. He was always striving to be his best and had a strong entrepreneurship mind frame. His love of sports and giving back to others was just several of his passions. He had done a lot in his short time on earth and impacted so many lives. He was a graduate of Dunbar High School class of 2013. Craig served in the United States Air Force and Reserves. Craig loved his family and enjoyed being in the same space as everyone especially during the holidays. After his time in the service, he had started a new journey in life and was attending Northern Kentucky University where he was pursuing a degree in Business/Construction Management. Craig had big plans of starting his own construction business and becoming his own boss. He loved to get away and travel and looked forward to his next getaway.

Craig leaves to cherish his memory his mother Terri King (Muncie, Indiana), and father Leslie “June bug” Craig Owens, Jr. (Toni) (of Dayton, Ohio). His grandmother Evelyn Trigg, his two loving aunts/second momsJacqueline "Renee" Owens (Willie), and Tamara (Eric) Milner; sisters Peyton (of Muncie, Indiana), Samone, and Leilani, brother/best friend Eric Dontrel, Uncles Billy, Charles and Dwight Brown (of Springfield, Ohio), Kim (Debbie) King (of Tulsa Oklahoma), Eddie (Tambra) King, Sr., Neil King (Muncie, Indiana), Stefon (Naomi) King (of Kansas City, Kansas); Aunts Crystal (Phil) Tassin (of Pontiac, MI), Lisa King (of Indianapolis, Indiana) his one and only niece/birthday twin Willow Zandria. Great Uncles Tommy Trigg, Melvin (Gail) Owens, (ofDayton, OH), and Johnny (Debra) Pritchett (of Montgomery, AL), Great Aunt’s Nancy (Lloyd) Cox, Louise (Willie) Billingsley, Hazel Powell, Patricia Logan, Annie-Mae Groves, Theresa (Billy) Brooks, Brenda Ham (Steve) (all of Dayton, OH), Virginia Bratchett (of Cincinnati, OH), and Tammy Owens (of Montgomery, AL). The love of his life, his girlfriend Kaliah Watterson (of Louisville, Kentucky). He also leaves behind his cousins Domonic, Dosjine, Odyssee, Lil' Charles, Charlie, Le’Teah, Jason, Eboni, Deanna, Kiara, Eddie, Jr., Michael, Neil, Jr. Celesia, Joshua, Shekinah, Christopher, Emerald, and Alexandria. Craig also had a loving group of cousins he kept in his inner circle that will cherish his memories as well: Jabriel, Lil Tyson, Kassey, Shawn, Diamond, Brionna, Tynessa and Tyshawna, Aliya, Donovan, Dwight, and Davion. His Military Crew: Jalen, Jabron, DeAndre, Everette, Corey, Chenique, and Anthony. The NKU Squad whom he always exchanged dialogue on their big dreams and shared many good times together. He is also survived by a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and other family members and friends including The Vaughn Family in Louisville, Kentucky with whom he created many memories with. 

Funeral service will be held Saturday, March 13, 2021 at Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church (5301 Olive Road/Trotwood Oh). Viewing will begin at 11:00am and service to follow at 12:00pm. Interment will be held at Dayton National Cemetery.

Professional arrangements entrusted to W.E. Lusain Funeral Home and Crematory.
March 6
To Craig's family. It was a pleasure to know Craig. He had ambitious and as passionate about becoming a self mad man. He made plans to do great things and I enjoyed working with him at my property. I know he is missed by all who knew him. Miss you Craig.
April 29, 2023
April 29, 2023
Happy Heavenly Birthday Craig-O. Although I’ll always miss you the endless joy you brought to us warms my heart with both joy and tears. Love and miss you nephew!

#organdonor
#TaurusBirthday
#MyAngel
January 25, 2023
January 25, 2023
Craig, the Lord knew what He was doing when He called you home. Even though I don’t understand it myself. I often find myself going down a long, dark tunnel asking a million questions. The truth is I miss you & wish I could see you again. I think of all the times you invited yourself over to our house, slept wherever you wanted, begged me to make you food or called me whenever you just wanted to talk. Let’s not forget the times you’d try to cover me up when I fed Eleya knowing I didn’t care who saw me. You were the brother I always wanted! The things I wish I could get back. Those were the better parts of me. I’m glad you got to see those times. I’m glad I got to be apart of your world. I love you forever & always.
March 6, 2022
March 6, 2022
A letter to my nephew in Heaven

Nephew, today marks one year that you have been gone. In my heart you are always there but my world collapsed and turned upside down losing you so unexpectedly. I miss your laugh, our talks, and that great big smile. God is my only refuge at times because the days get harder and harder. May God continue to give all of us the continued strength to endure our pain and broken heart! They say that the pain gets easier but losing you at such a young age is a different kind of hurt. I’m always expecting you to just walk through the front door yelling my name. Some days without warning it will hit me hard and at those times it feels like it just happened. God blessed me with a beautiful soul like yours and I am grateful for all those memories and moments that we shared. I miss you so much nephew and I love you

Your biggest cheerleader,
Aunt Tamara
September 4, 2021
September 4, 2021
Craig, I think of you so much. I love you, I miss you. I’m glad you’re in a better place... watch over me.
April 29, 2021
April 29, 2021
Happy 26th Heavenly Birthday Nephew! Love you and miss you so much.
March 31, 2021
March 31, 2021
Dear Nephew,
You have given me so many memories to treasure that will stay deep in my heart ❤️ You brought an abundance of joy and happiness to my life. I LOVE you and I miss you.

Love,
Aunt Tamara
March 14, 2021
March 14, 2021
I attended the service for this young man yesterday. He and his cousin Eric lived at my apartments, and both are the most polite and outgoing young men that I have met in a long time. Their parents got it right with them. Sadly, Craig's life ended early of a heart attack of all things. Trying to make since of this is different. To lose someone who did nothing to contribute to his demise. He had such a bright future, and so many plans. Craig served our county, attended NKU, and was just a year from receiving his degree. He did work for me around my apartments, and aspired to one day own his own rental properties. This loss is very hard to take. To say that Craig will be missed is an understatement. God has called him home, and I must try to find some peace in that. I will miss you Craig, and you will be forever in my heart.
March 10, 2021
March 10, 2021
Craig you will be truly missed! You were loved dearly. You always had a sweet smile and a kind word whenever I saw you! Rest well young man. Love Kosher

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Recent Tributes
March 6
To Craig's family. It was a pleasure to know Craig. He had ambitious and as passionate about becoming a self mad man. He made plans to do great things and I enjoyed working with him at my property. I know he is missed by all who knew him. Miss you Craig.
April 29, 2023
April 29, 2023
Happy Heavenly Birthday Craig-O. Although I’ll always miss you the endless joy you brought to us warms my heart with both joy and tears. Love and miss you nephew!

#organdonor
#TaurusBirthday
#MyAngel
January 25, 2023
January 25, 2023
Craig, the Lord knew what He was doing when He called you home. Even though I don’t understand it myself. I often find myself going down a long, dark tunnel asking a million questions. The truth is I miss you & wish I could see you again. I think of all the times you invited yourself over to our house, slept wherever you wanted, begged me to make you food or called me whenever you just wanted to talk. Let’s not forget the times you’d try to cover me up when I fed Eleya knowing I didn’t care who saw me. You were the brother I always wanted! The things I wish I could get back. Those were the better parts of me. I’m glad you got to see those times. I’m glad I got to be apart of your world. I love you forever & always.
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My Angel, my SONshine ❤️

March 31, 2021
My nephew had the biggest heart. He would literally give the shirt off his back and the shoes off his feet to those in need. That giving soul is what led him to start his own nonprofit using his personal funds. Craig would prepare lunches to pass out to the homeless and share inspirational stories. Although not here in the flesh, through organ donation Craig was able to bless 75 other lives; this speaks volumes to who he was. He loved his family dearly and brought a smile to those around him because his spirit just lit up a room. Craig had a huge smile that just warmed your soul. His greatness will continue to live on through our memories but his presence will be greatly missed. He was my SONshine for 25 years but now he will watch over me as my Angel.Rest in love nephew ❤️ 

Love, 
Aunt Tamara 
(AKA your second mom)

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