Rev. Joseph Lowery

Obituary of Rev. Joseph C. Lowery Rader Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Visitation will be from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 8, 2009. Graveside service at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 9, 2009, Memory Park Cemetery, 2823 E. Marshall Ave, Longview, with Rev. Vic Willmann officiating. Memorial service 12:00 p.m., Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Broadway and Florey, Kilgore, with Rev. Ronald Schutz officiating. Honorary Pallbearers, David Smith, Joseph Smith, Adam Lowery, Matthew Smith, Carl Dolezal, S.Sgt. Jeffrey Gill, Danny Sampson, Carl Gardner, George A. Heil, Bob Abraham, Leland Dean, Barry Conway and J. D. Sampson. This earthly life is over. I am now with the Lord in His heavenly abode. He has wiped away all the tears, and has welcomed me with open arms. The journey began on March 26, 1926 as I was born to Jones and Alma Lowery near Huntington, Texas. I served in the U. S. Navy during World War II in the Atlantic and Pacific, including battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Married Sarah Jane Crockett on May 27, 1949, and bless with two loving children, Deborah Janice Lowery Smith and Alan Curtis Lowery. Called to faith and baptized into Jesus Christ on Thanksgiving Eve 1962. Answered the call to preach the Gospel, studied at University of Houston and Northeast Louisiana State University and graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary, Springfield, Illinois then ordained into the pastoral ministry of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod on June 14, 1970 at Calvary Lutheran Church, Houston. Served congregations in Longview, Hereford, and Anderson, Texas, and Altus, Oklahoma. After medical retirement moved to White Oak. I am thankful to God for the excellent medical care since 1983 of Dr. Charles Newkirk and his nurses Linda Berryman and Suzanne. Served Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Kilgore as part-time Interim Pastor beginning in 1992. Departed this life with the Lord on September 4, 2009 at 11:15 p.m. Survived by wife Sarah, daughter Deborah and husband David Smith, son Alan Lowery and wife Donna, and grandchildren Sarah Smith Dolezal and husband Carl, Diana Lowery, Joseph Smith, Amber Lowery Watson, Adam Lowery, Ashlea Smith Gill and husband Jeffrey, Matthew Smith, and Courtnie Smith, and step-granddaughter Amber Lawhorn, 7 great-grandchildren, brother Gerald Lowery and his wife Shizuko, and several nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by parents and four brothers and two sisters. Jesus tells us: "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe with be condemned." May the Holy Spirit bring you to believe and join me in the fullness of the presence of God when your earthly journey is over. Donations may be made to The Pilgrim Lutheran Church Building Fund.

Rev. Joseph Lowery

March 26, 1926 - September 4, 2009