Pat Lee Lowry

Pat Lee Lowry, 88, went to his Heavenly home on March 27, 2020 from respiratory failure due to pneumonia. His daughter, Mona, was beside her father when he was greeted by the angels. Pat was born in Memphis, Tennessee on October 8, 1931 to J’Mella DuPree Montgomery Lowry and Louis Lowry.

Pat married Betty Castleman Lowry May 27, 1956. They met at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. Pat, a cheerleader and a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, asked out the Sweetheart of ATO, Betty Jean Castleman. He worshiped his wife. One way he showed her his devotion was bringing her a morning cup of coffee daily. Pat was a true gentleman. He opened all doors for women. His widowed neighbors appreciated him putting their newspapers on their porches every morning. Pat never missed an event if his daughters, grandchildren or great grandchildren were involved. From birthday parties, to Baylor University Sing Acts, or watching Cody coach a game, Pat was faithful in attendance. His last family celebration was watching Logan marry Emily Gilcrease.

He was raised in Memphis, Tennessee and attended Memphis Tech High School. By his own admission, Pat holds a family record for the number of colleges he attended including Baylor University and the University of Houston. Pat earned a Bachelor of Arts from Southeast Missouri State and a Masters from the University of Missouri.

Pat began his career as a Baptist preacher in small Missouri towns. In addition, he was an art teacher, yearbook advisor, and photography teacher. While in St. Louis, Pat taught art at Kirby Junior High. In Houston, he taught at Alief Middle School, Katy Taylor High School and Houston Christian High School. To pay for his three girls to attend Baylor University, Pat worked nights as a security officer at a local mall in Houston.

Although born in Memphis, Pat and Betty lived in Chaffee, Missouri and in St. Louis, Missouri. Job prosperity and warmer climate brought the Lowry family to Houston in 1972. They lived in the Alief area while the three girls were in grade school and college. Pat and Betty moved to the Eldridge area of Houston in 1994.

Pat enjoyed attending Baylor football games, photography, swimming, diving, painting, fixing things and invented his version of the corn hole game. He looked forward to family celebrations and worshiping at Tallowood Baptist Church.

Pat was a member of the Army Reserves. He was a Senior Olympic participant in swimming and diving and received the Baylor University Alumni by Choice award.

Pat is survived by his wife Betty Castleman Lowry of 64 years and his three daughters Lisa (Bill) Schwartz, Jina (Dennis) David, and Mona (Bryan) Butler. His oldest sibling, Mary Catherine Gentry, lives in Clinton, Mississippi.

His grandchildren include Brittany and Travis Marrs, Nicholas and Jenna David, Cody and Lauren Schwartz, Eric David, Laurice and Jarrett Sutter, Logan and Emily Butler, and Emily David. His great grandchildren include Archer, Theo and Piper Marrs, Spencer Schwartz and Rose and Rowan David. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Pat is preceded in death by his parents Louis (Papa Lou) Lowry and J’Mella (Mama Lou) Montgomery Lowry, his in-laws William Etric (Pop) Castleman, Velma Maddox (Mom) Castleman, his brother William (Bill) Lowry, and great grandchild Addison Lowry Sutter.

A celebration of Pat’s life at Tallowood Baptist Church will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Pat’s memory can be made to Tallowood Baptist Church or Baylor University.