Former state Rep. Darryl Owens passes away at 84

Former Kentucky State Rep. Darryl T. Owens died on Tuesday at the age of 84.

Owens, a Democrat, represented District 43 from 2005 to 2018. During his time in the legislature, Owens was a strong advocate for criminal justice reform and championed the felony expungement bill in 2016, earning him the Kentucky Chamber MVP Award.

Throughout his more than 40 years in public service, Owens also served as a district judge, assistant attorney general and as a Jefferson County commissioner. 

“I was so saddened to hear about the passing of our friend, former Rep. Darryl Owens. The Chamber worked closely with him to see the historic passage of House Bill 40 in 2016, expungement for low level felony convictions, an issue he has advocated for decades. Rep. Owens was a strong champion for civil rights and criminal justice reform and the Commonwealth is better for his service. We offer our deep sympathy to his family and all that loved him,” said Kentucky Chamber President and CEO Ashli Watts.