Remembering Our Founder, Jim Owens

The C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation mourns the recent loss of its founder Jim Owens.

Jim passed away on December 9, 2023, after a brief battle with cancer. Jim formed the foundation in 1991, and the first C.A.S.T. for Kids event was held in 1992 at Banks Lake, WA. Since that time, over 130,000 children have had the opportunity to go fishing and be celebrated at a C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation event. It is safe to say that none of this would have occurred if it wasn’t for the vision and hard work of Jim Owens.

Jim started the foundation, and served as the Executive Director for 24 years, from 1991- 2014, when he retired. He leaves a tremendous legacy as the father of the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation, and the impact of Jim’s work will continue to be felt for generations to come. Everyone in the C.A.S.T. for Kids family whose life has been enriched in some way by attending a C.A.S.T. for Kids event owes a debt of gratitude to Jim Owens. Thank you Jim for your legacy of the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation!

Jim is survived by his wife, Sue; son, Tony, and daughter-in-law, Amy; daughter, Laura, and son-in-law, Chris; and grandsons, Alex, Tyler, Nick, Anders, and Corvin.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a memorial contribution to the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation so that Jim’s legacy will continue and more children will ‘Catch a Special Thrill’!