James Edwin Lowder

Jim (James E.) Lowder (89) died on Thursday, January 28th, 2021 from complications of lung cancer. He was born January 26, 1932 in Abilene, Texas to parents Faye Hampton and James Howard Lowder. He served in the U.S. Army in Fort Richardson, Alaska and was honorably discharged with a rank of Staff Sergeant. He moved to Lubbock in December 1956 to attend Texas Tech. He joined Johnson Manufacturing Co. in 1958 as a part time drafter and retired from there in 1994 as President of Eagle Picher Industries, Construction Equipment Division obtaining 14 US and international patents. He was an avid supporter of Texas Tech. He and his daughter Beth Holland were named Distinguished Engineers of the Whitacre College of Engineering in 2012. He was passionate about scouting serving as president of the South Plains Council, BSA, active with Troop 402, a Silver Beaver Award recipient and established Explorer Post 402 with Betty. He is survived by his bride Betty Splawn Lowder, children Clay and Maggie Lowder, Kent and Lynn Lowder, Beth and Neil Holland, 18 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren adding up to 38 members of his and Betty's family. He and Betty were featured in the AJ Dec 10, 2020 celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary. At Jim's request, donations may be made in his memory to the endowed scholarship in his name at the Texas Tech College Whitacre of Engineering or the South Plains Council, BSA. The family plans a tribute to honor Jim early summer 2021.