James Michael Owen or ‘Jimmy O‚’ as he was called by everyone‚ joined the Orange County Fire Department in 1980‚ where he served as a paramedic‚ hazardous materials firefighter‚ and Federal Urban Search and Rescue Team member. Jimmy was a fireman’s fireman. He would take on any task. Being a firefighter/paramedic is not what Jimmy did; it was who he was. He touched the lives of many‚ and many of those lives he saved.

He was a guy who would literally give you the shirt off his back and would always be there for you. He was a man of great character and a man of his word. He was a faithful and compassionate husband‚ father‚ and firefighter who had a great love for his fellow man. Jimmy never judged others. He was the kind of friend who would say good things about you behind your back.

Jimmy loved his family. He enjoyed spending time with them camping‚ off-roading‚ and surfing. He was also an avid fisherman who often volunteered as a deckhand on a recreational fishing boat and had expressed an interest in obtaining his mariner’s license when he retired. He is survived by his wife‚ Sharon‚ and his children‚ Jimmy‚ Daniel‚ and Kevin.