Owen was a truly remarkable young boy, known for his infectious smile, boundless love, and eagerness to learn. He had a special passion for the outdoors, and nothing brought him more joy than riding his “Cool Bike” with his father, Onick. His journey with bikes began incredibly early; he received a balance bike as a Christmas gift at just two months old. By 17 months, he was already confidently riding it. Just days before his passing, Owen was gliding so swiftly on his balance bike that his dad had to run to keep up, showcasing his incredible comfort and speed. It was clear to everyone that he was on track to ride a regular bicycle well before his third birthday.
Tragically, Owen passed away from Lymphocytic Myocarditis on April 28th, 2022. In the wake of this profound loss, his family knew they wanted to honor Owen’s love for bike riding by sharing that joy with other young children. This vision led to the creation of O’s Cool Bike Foundation, an organization dedicated to keeping Owen’s spirit alive through philanthropic activities in his community.
O’s Cool Bike Foundation is the driving force behind the annual Owen Wayne Lewis Memorial Bike Ride, an event held each year in late April. The funds raised through this memorial ride are crucial for the foundation’s mission to donate bikes to local Head Start programs. Furthermore, the ride supports the Owen Wayne Lewis Memorial Scholarship at Troy University. This scholarship is awarded annually to a first-generation college student pursuing degrees in fields Owen was passionate about: social work, human services, hospitality, tourism, or event management. Through these initiatives, O’s Cool Bike Foundation ensures that Owen’s legacy of joy and generosity continues to inspire and support others.
