Edmund Owen who was brought up in the Carmarthenshire countryside came to faith as a sixth former. At various times he was a minister, a schoolteacher, a milk lorry driver, a preacher and leader of a ‘seiat’. But his main contribution were the many years of devoted service to the Evangelical Movement of Wales at Bridgend. There the work benefitted from his linguistic skills, his knowledge, and his love of the Gospel. Whilst at the Movement Edmund edited, contributed and oversaw many publications — in both Welsh and English. He translated C. S. Lewis’ Narnia books into Welsh and many hymns he worked on are now considered to be classics, including his translation, “Great providence of heaven”.
Edmund also contributed a tremendous amount to the work of the Welsh language Cylchgrawn – the publication that gave rise to the EMW in the first place. His long running column, “Arhoswch funud” (Stay a minute), continued until the very end. Edmund was always willing to help with whatever was needed at the Movement, and accomplished it with care, gentleness and kindness right up to his retirement in 1996.
Late in life God blessed Edmund with a godly wife in Beti. We are thankful that Edmund is now in the company of his Saviour whom he was given strength to serve faithfully for so many years.