owens was born in fort worth, texas, where he graduated from paschal high school. while a sophomore in high school, owens was appointed a page in the u.s. house of representatives by congressman (and later, speaker of the house) jim wright. owens was assigned by the doorkeeper of the house to the republican cloakroom, where he worked for notable republicans who were serving in the house then such as george h.w. bush, gerald ford and bob dole.