By Sgt. Danielle M. Bacon Family, friends and colleagues honor their ‘‘Quintessential” cowboy, Staff Sgt. Charles Owens, during a memorial service at the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial Chapel Monday. The former Quantico Marine Band drum major died, May 1, when his motorcycle struck a truck at the intersection of SR 62 and Sunburst Avenue, in Joshua Tree, Calif. ‘‘He will be with us always,” said Gunnery Sgt. Mitch Martin.

The former Quantico Marine Band drum major died, May 1, when his motorcycle struck a truck at the intersection of SR 62 and Sunburst Avenue in Joshua Tree, Calif.

‘‘He is survived by his wife Charla, daughter McKenzie, son Jordan; mother and father, Sharon and David Owens; brothers, David, Steve, Will and Dan; sisters, Nancy and Kathryn; two grandparents, seven aunts and uncles; 23 nieces and nephews and four grandnieces,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Szabo, Quantico band officer. ‘‘He is remembered and known by family and friends all around the country as a man of honor and patriotism, and as having the love of being a Marine cowboy.”

The list of the Owen’s accomplishments while a drum major here, is long and almost endless. As the band logistics officer, Owens was charged with all the planning that goes into ensuring 50 Marines had lodging, meals and transportation for more than 700 commitments.

These commitments included military change of commands, morning colors ceremonies, command post and reliefs, retirement ceremonies, Officer Candidates School and The Basic School graduations. Civilian commitments were many and included The Greater Cleveland Police Officer’s memorial, New York Police Department 9⁄11 memorial, New Jersey State Policeman’s convention, Delaware Fireman’ convention, Virginia International Tattoo, John Basilone Day celebration, Bellaue Wood in Parris, France and Super Bowl XL1 in Miami.

‘‘It didn’t take anyone long to identify that Charley had a magnetism about him,” said Szabo. ‘‘I believe it was his genuine sincerity and honesty, and I believe those qualities came directly from his upbringing. What made Charley unique – he was a real life cowboy.”

A colleague went on to explain how his truck was a rolling example of her teacher, mentor, fellow Marine life and friend’s life.

‘‘I think though, what will always be in the foremost of my memories is his truck. I don’t mean that diesel powered Dodge, which was a fairly recent acquisition. No, I mean the ancient Chevy. I believe he told me once that the color was Granada beige, but I always just thought it was rust colored, with a toilet hanging from the rearview mirror and the real flushing sound that he so proudly showed off to anyone brave enough to actually be a passenger; the custom rear-mounted disheveled radio antenna, and that muffler – oh my gosh, you could hear it from a mile away. That old truck told me a lot about Charley,” said a former Marine sergeant and current Sgt. 1st Class Jennifer Bailey. ‘‘First and foremost, it told me that he had a sense of humor; a sense of humor about himself and the world in general. Nobody, but nobody could own or be seen driving a vehicle like that without a tremendous willingness and desire to laugh. More importantly, that truck and the way that Charley really valued it mirrored the way he valued people. That old Chevy wasn’t much to look at. Kelly Blue Book was probably around negative $300 or what ever it would cost to have someone to haul it away, but Charley loved that old truck and he invested time, money and energy into keeping it running and he did the same thing for people.”

Love is what drew so many together. Laughter is what so many will hold on to. Friendship is what so many will treasure forever.

‘‘Through all of this I have learned something.

Even though Chuck Eddie has got enough love for everybody; he has enough compassion; enough belt buckle for everybody. I want you to know I have learned something. Even though this Marine has (permanent change of station) to become the drum major of the sky, I have learned something here,” said Gunnery Sgt. Mitch Martin. ‘‘Just because he is not down here on earth today, he will always be there for me. He will share in everything we do. He will be there to pull us in when we are upset. He will be there when we’re mad and when we’re glad. He will be there to share.”