James L. Lowe

James Leon Lowe, 87, of Austin, Texas, passed away peacefully at home on 2 January 2013. Born 26 October 1925 in Alexandria Bay, New York, James was the son of George Delos and Ola Lucy (Wood) Lowe. His parents preceded him in death, as did 5 brothers: George Delos Lowe, Jr., Edward Charles, Walter Lyman, Bernard John (Jack), Milford Henry (Hanky); and 2 sisters: Harriet Camilla (Lowe) Zuller and Marguerite Lucy (Lowe) Burgess.

James is survived by his wife of 61 years, Fran (Thrailkill) Lowe; daughter, Kathryn (Lowe) Edwards; 3 sons, Kenneth Lowe and wife Beth of Panama City, Florida, Richard Lowe and wife Judy, and Michael Lowe and wife Deborah; 8 grandchildren: Amanda, Michael, Jr., and Cassie Lowe, all of Austin, Texas, Stacy (Lowe) Bondurant and spouse Matthew Bondurant of Dallas, Texas, Steven and Corey of Austin, Michelle (Lowe) Kretz of Anchorage, Alaska, and Richard B. Lowe, of Tallahasee, Florida; 8 great-grandchildren, Ford and Emerson Bondurant of Dallas, Texas, Avery and Victoria Lowe of Austin, Texas, Alexis and Malia Kretz of Anchorage, Alaska, Jace Lowe of Arizona, and Jordyn Hart of Oregon. James is also survived by 2 brothers: Kenneth Lowe and wife Patsy of Bulverde, Texas and Ernie Lowe and wife Phyllis of Clayton, New York; 4 sisters: Wanda (Lowe) Menetret and Audrey (Lowe) Rock, of Liverpool, New York, Bernice (Tiny Lowe) Houghton of Auburn, New York, and Frances (Fanny Lowe) Martin of Syracuse, New York; and numerous nieces and nephews; and grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Besides his family, James was most proud of his military service in support of his country. He entered the Army Air Corps in 1944 and was stationed in Foggia, Italy from 1944-1946 flying 15 combat missions as tail gunner on B17's and B29's. After his honorable discharge from the Army Air Corps, he re-enlisted to serve in the Air Force in 1946 where he was radioman and ECM operator on B36's and B52's and served in Korea. He was awarded the Air Medal, Good Conduct Medal with 4 Bronze Loops, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, United Nations Service Medal, Air Crew Member Badge, and European Theater of Operations with 4 Battle Stars. He retired in 1966 at Malmstrom AFB, in Great Falls, Montana. He then moved his family to Austin, Texas, where he began a second career working in computer hardware maintenance at the University of Texas.

James enjoyed camping, golf, bowling, spending time with his family, crossword puzzles, and jigsaw puzzles. Dad had a wicked sense of humor he shared with all his brothers and family. It was a real laugh fest when we all got together. He really liked bowling most of all. He must have, since he and Mom enjoyed more than 50 years of it together, his last game being only 4 short weeks before he passed. Keep the lanes warm, Dad! And we'll all have a game together when we meet again!

Graveside services with military honors will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, January 5, 2013 at the Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery in Pflugerville. Visitation will be from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m., Friday evening at the funeral home.

For those desiring, memorial contributions are suggested to the Salvation Army.

Please visit James' memorial at www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com, where you can share memories and condolences with his family.