John B. "Jack" Owens graduated from Annapolis High School and earned a pre-law degree from St. John's College in 1937. In 1936, he and his brothers built an industrial plant that Jack Owens managed the finances for. During World War II, Owens Yacht Company began building air rescue LCVP boats, which Mr. Owens supervised. The company was known for their classic 40-foot Owens Cutter. In 1961, the company merged with Brunswick Corp., with Mr. Owens staying on as president of Brunswick's Owens Boat Division. In 1964, Mr. Owens left Brunswick and joined his two brothers in a family-owned real estate company, Trident Corp. Mr. Owens won many racing trophies through the years and wrote two books: "Cruising Fun For the Family" and "Cruising Guide to the Chesapeake Bay." Jack Owens was married to Marguerite Martin for 64 years. They had three sons, David Owens, Peter Owens, and Andrew Owens, and three daughters, Christine Sands, Amelia Sullivan, and Elizabeth "Birdie" Owens.
Jack Owens gives 8 interviews over several years with multiple different interviewers. In his interviews, Mr. Owens talks about the history of the Owens Yacht Company, the company's production process, and its contribution to rescue boats during WWII. Mr. Owens also talks about his family and childhood, and the other boat builders in Maryland over the years.
