Former College Park teacher and coach Johnie Owings passes away

Many believe that the true measure of someone’s life is the legacy they leave behind. In the case of one man, that seems to be true. Johnie Owings dedicated 41 years of his life to teaching and coaching athletics. During that time, he had a profound impact on the lives of young people.

Former student Troy Hess, from the College Park class of 1989, had Mr. Owings as a teacher for Math and P.E.“I am so saddened to hear of his passing. He was a true gentleman, never bragging about his accolades, which were many,” Hess said. “I am so glad I got to know him and some of his stories.”

“He helped me with my confidence as an athlete. Although he didn’t coach the team I played on, he still had advice and would come out to support me.” Hess played baseball at College Park and went on to become an All-American at UC Davis.

Hess, now a firefighter/paramedic in Alameda County, said that he has incorporated many of the “life lessons” he received from Owings into his everyday life. “Mr. Owings shaped me as well as many other students in a positive manner. I still adhere to those values today.” Hess is also a successful businessman, being part-owner and co-founder of the Fire Safety Training Group in Brentwood.

Some 30-years prior, the case was just the same. Tim Rhyan, currently the Athletic Director at Deer Valley High School in Antioch was an original member of Owings’ first wrestling team. In a recent interview, Rhyan stated that Owings instilled a love for the sport and an appreciation of what a complex sport it can be.

Rhyan said that five members of that first CP team went on to coach the sport.

Owings started his career at College Park in 1960, the same year the school opened its doors. He was a member of the inaugural faculty and coaching staff. From his earliest days at the school, Owings immersed himself in his job and was a key foundation in the development of academics and athletics at CPHS.

Prior to his career, Owings was a stand-out athlete and student. After graduating high school in his native Oregon, Owings received a scholarship to Oregon State where he had the opportunity to play in the Rose Bowl in 1955 for the Beavers.

Indicative that he was a well-rounded athlete, Owings was also a member of the school’s wrestling team. Owings was selected as an alternate for the 1956 U.S. Olympic Wrestling Team. In addition to excelling on those sports, Owings had offers to play professional baseball, as well.

Owings left OSU and relocated to California to enroll at Chico State where he graduated in 1960. From there, he accepted a teaching position at the brand-new College Park High School. Owings and his wife Joann relocated to Pleasant Hill.

College Park fielded its first varsity wrestling team in 1960 with Owings leading the way. By 1962, the Falcons won the Diablo Valley Athletic League championship, the first of three consecutive. In 1966, they won the team title at the Northern California Championships. By the time he left the Falcon wrestling program in 1967, Owings had laid the foundation for decades of future success at the school.

Owings remained at College Park for 37 years. He taught various subjects, including physical education and math. He coached football, wrestling and girl’s softball for the Falcons. He retired in 2001.

Owings also coached at St. Mary’s College in the 1960s, helping to reinstate the football and wrestling programs for that school. In addition, he had a stint coaching the girl’s softball team at Diablo Valley College, leading the Lady Vikings to a league championship the first season.

In a private ceremony at his home in Vacaville on January 4, Owings was inducted into the College park Athletic Hall of Fame. CPAHOF director Jerry Pollard presided at the ceremony. Owings died four days later at age of 73 at his home.

Owings is survived by his wife, Joann, three sons, two daughters, five grandsons and two granddaughters. In Oregon, Owings is survived by his mother Lula, three brothers and two sisters.