Lowell J. Smith

Lowell James Smith, age 96, died August 7, 2024 at Canton Potsdam Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Lowell was born March 25, 1928 at his home on the Dezell Road in Lisbon, NY, the second son of the late Luther and Jennie (Thompson) Smith. He married Helen Geary, daughter of Leon and Pearl (Keyes) Geary at the Reformed Presbyterian Manse on April 11, 1963. He is survived by her and their two children, Carole and Robert Degenford and their three children, Hannah, Daniel and Elisabeth of Ellicott City, Maryland and Calvin and Rhonda Smith of Lisbon, NY. His extended family includes nephews, Donald, Douglas, and David Smith and their families.

Lowell received his elementary education in the one room school house of District 24 located next door. His fellow students and the teacher walked to his house for their water supply. He graduated from Lisbon High School in 1945 as Valedictorian, the only boy in his class of five, (WWII had depleted young men in the area.) In 1950, he graduated from Geneva College, Beaver Falls, PA, receiving the award as the outstanding student in the field of Physics and was hired on a teaching fellowship by St. Lawrence University, Canton, to teach Physics. Being drafted that fall into the Korean War changed this. During his 2 years in the service and for one year following, he worked in the Evan Signal Core Engineering Laboratory testing atomic weapons.

He then returned home and joined his brother Dale, to form Smith Brothers Electric Service. He also helped on the family farm and was self-employed with Electronics & Television Sales and Service. When time permitted, he enjoyed playing his fiddle.

Lowell had a lifelong interest in pistol target shooting, achieving the expert rating in rifle shooting in the Army and the NRA Masters Rating in the Lisbon Gun Club. The Range was in the basement of Lisbon Central School. He was a member of the Blue Mountain Lake Hunting Club.

He has been a Deacon in the Lisbon Reformed Presbyterian Church, beginning in 1961, and is a member of the American Legion since 1953 and was a member of the Lisbon Volunteer Fire Department for about 40 years.

His family owes many thanks to the Low Vision VA Clinic in Syracuse for providing him equipment and guidance that enhanced his quality of life during his later years. Thanks, too, to the Canton Potsdam Hospital staff, Health Services, and our great neighborhood of friends, relatives, and church members for their kindness through the years. Memorial contributions may be given in his memory to the Lisbon Reformed Presbyterian Church at PO Box 88, Lisbon, NY 13658 or the Flackville Cemetery Association, 6768 County Rt 10, Lisbon, NY 13658.

Funeral services for Lowell will be held Saturday August 10, 2024 at the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Lisbon, NY at 10:00 AM with Rev. Garrett Mann officiating. Visitation will be held Friday August 9, 2024 at Fox & Murray Funeral Home from 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM. Burial will follow services at the Flackville Cemetery in Lisbon.

Condolences and fond memories can also be shared online at www.foxandmurrayfuneralhome.com.