Bachelor Nation
Who Is ‘Golden Bachelor’ Star Mel Owens’ Dad? Everything to Know About Walter Owens
Mel Owens will make his reality television debut on the premiere of The Golden Bachelor Season 2, which begins with a two-hour episode on Wednesday, September 24. Based on pre-released footage from the episode, viewers will get a glimpse inside Mel’s life before he heads to the mansion, which will include time spent with his two sons, Lucas and Andre.
Unfortunately, one person who viewers won’t get to meet is Mel’s dad, Walter Owens, as he died in 2020. When Mel was announced as the lead for The Golden Bachelor, it was revealed that the death of his father was a pivotal moment in his life, as it occurred around the same time as his divorce from ex-wife Fabiana Pimentel.
“While life took an unexpected turn with the passing of his father and the end of his marriage, Owens channeled his energy into being the best father he could be, focusing on raising his sons and coaching their extracurricular sports teams,” a press release revealed. “Now, after several years as a devoted dad, Owens is ready to rediscover a love rooted in the simple joys of companionship – sharing life’s everyday moments, making plans for the future, and growing stronger together as a couple.”
Scroll down to learn more about Mel’s father and upbringing ahead of The Golden Bachelor premiere.
Who is Walt Owens?
Walt was a baseball player (pitcher and outfielder) and professor who was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and grew up in Detroit, Michigan. He attended Western Michigan University, where he was on the basketball and track and field teams. He also played baseball for the Detroit Stars of the Negro American League during his college summers from 1953 to 1955.
ABC
After college, Walt turned down an opportunity to play baseball professionally in the Negro American League. He began teaching in the Detroit public school system, where he also served as a basketball and baseball coach. He eventually made his way over to Northern Illinois University in 1973 and worked there for more than 30 years before he retired in 2007.
During his tenure at NIU, Walt served as head coach of the baseball team from 1976 to 1982, when the program was disbanded. He was also an assistant coach on the basketball team from 1973 to 1978.
In addition to his involvement in teaching and sports, Walt also helped found the National Congress of Black Faculty, served as a chair of the Presidential Commission on the Status of Minorities, and was a member of the Task Force on Racial Discrimination and Sexual Harassment. His legacy at NIU was solidified when he was named an emeritus professor in the College of Education at the university after his retirement. He received the E.B. Henderson Award at the National Association for Health and Fitness in 2011 for his contributions to fighting racial discrimination.
The MLB held a Negro Leagues Player Draft in 2008, and Walt was selected as the fifth overall pick by the Chicago Cubs. He was also inducted into the NIU Athletics Hall of fame in 2013, the Negro Baseball League Hall of Fame in 2000, and the United States Speciality Sports Association Hall of Fame in 2003.
How old was Walt Owens when he died?
Walt was 87 years old when he died on September 20, 2020.
Was Walt Owens married?
At the time of his death, Walt was married to Janice Owens. It’s unclear how long they were married for and whether Janice was Mel’s biological mother or not.
Like Walt, Janice had a lasting effect on the Northern Illinois University community. “Coach O and Janice embraced me and my family the very first day we arrived here in DeKalb almost six years ago,” NIU’s head baseball coach said at the time of Walt’s death. “I can never repay the kindness they have shown us over the years, I can only hope Coach knew and Janice knows how much they have meant to our program and to me personally.”
The Golden Bachelor, Season 2 Premiere, Wednesday, September 24, 8/7c, ABC
