Memorial services will be held for Richard Lowe, 82, of Ninnekah at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 24, 2013, at the Ninnekah Baptist Church with Mike McReynolds officiating.Richard Lowe, 82 passed from this earth to his Heavenly home on Sunday, January 20, 2013.
He was born in San Francisco, CA on April 30, 1930 and attended high school in Snyder, OK. He graduated from Cameron Jr. College in Lawton, OK where he met the love of his life, Thelma Richardson Lowe. They were married on May 10, 1953. They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this coming May. He enlisted in the Navy during the Korean Conflict in September of 1950 and served on the USS Bayfield for 4 years. Upon his return to the states he attended Oklahoma A&M College now known as OSU and obtained a BS degree in Agricultural Education.
Richard impacted many people’s lives. He taught Vocational Agriculture for 14 years in Beggs, Cyril, and Ninnekah Schools. He obtained his Masters Degree in Agricultural Education from OSU in 1966. Later on he became an insurance agent and real estate broker. He was a strong advocate of the 4-H and FFA programs and continued his support of those programs his entire life. He received three Honorary Chapter awards from different schools and also the Honorary State FFA Degree. He was one of the founding members of the Grady County Sirloin Club. Richard worked with the VICA Club in Chickasha and received the local and state Honorary VICA awards. Being civic minded he belonged to several civic organizations in numerous small communities. Additionally he was a Mason for over 60 years.
Richard and Thelma square danced for over 28 years as members of the Swinging Chicks and Star Promenaders. They served their clubs holding numerous offices including several years as president. They were the president for the South Central District in 1991.
Richard’s hobbies were working with students, his children, and his grandchildren. Developing students in public speaking, livestock judging, and livestock showing were passions that Richard had for not only his children and grandchildren, but for any young person that desired to improve. Their accomplishments were his rewards for his dedication to their success.
He and Thelma enjoyed traveling to different areas of the US visiting friends and family members while viewing the majestic sites of the nation. In his later years he enjoyed restoring old tractors. His devotion to teaching and using skills such as welding, plumbing, electrical, and woodwork was evident in the work around the home place. Richard, Thelma, and his children built nearly every structure including bricking their own home.
Richard was a member of a Baptist Church since 1949 and was presently a member of the First Baptist Church in Ninnekah. He was heavily involved in Mission N-Ninnekah, the outreach program of the church.
Survivors include his wife, Thelma Lowe, daughter Becky Lowe and husband Virgil Marco, Albuquerque, NM , son Dick Lowe and wife Judy, Amber, OK, daughter Rhonda Regier and husband Steve, Fairview, OK and daughter Ruth Ann Crawley and husband Allan, Ninnekah, OK. He also had 6 grandsons, Brendon Lowe, Colin Lowe, Denton Lowe, Scott Niles, Dan Niles and Mark Niles.
Family Visitation and viewing will be Tuesday and Wednesday evening from 5 p.m. till 7 p.m. at the Ferguson Funeral Home.
Private family interment will be in the Ninnekah cemetery under the direction of Ferguson Funeral Home.