Paul Raymond Owens was born 3 October 1901 in Lewistown, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, to Millard and Tillie Owens. He attended Penn State College where he met his future wife, Mary Emiline Allen, daughter of Charles Allen and Sarah Carothers, early settlers of Grand Forks. They were married 10 August 1925 in Grand Forks and first lived in Cambridge, Ohio, where Paul worked for a nurseryman. After a short time, they moved to North Dakota where their three children were born. In the 1930s, Owens worked for Wyman Sheppard, a nurseryman, and later for the city parks department. In 1939, he applied his knowledge and experience in the nursery business and opened Paul Owens Floral Company. He purchased land along Fifth Avenue to grow plants, but the recession of the 1950s caused Owens to sell this land, though the shop continued to be a success.

Owens was active in church and civic affairs as a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Kiwanis, and the Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he and his wife belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Patron and Matron. In 1967, Owens sold his business and the family moved to Deming, New Mexico. He died there in March 1975.