Lawrence Lowe (Plainview)

Lawrence Burton Lowe, 89, of Plainview, passed away on Tuesday, July 26, 2011 in Amarillo. Memorial services will be at 11:00 A.M. Friday, July 29, 2011 at the First United Methodist Church Chapel in Plainview, Texas with Rev. Jeff Taylor officiating and Dr. Max Browning assisting. Private Burial and arrangements are under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Plainview. Visitation will be held Thursday, July 28, 2011 from 5:30 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Lawrence was born on September 8, 1921 in Plainview, Texas to William Franklin & Alta Rose Lowe. He attended Lamar Elementary School, Ash Junior High and graduated from Plainview High School in 1939. He attended Watson’s Business College after high school graduation then went to work for Goodyear Company in Clovis, NM. During World War II Lawrence joined the Army Air Corp as a radio operator. He served in Central Africa as a radio communications operator on C-47 cargo planes and then as a pilot in the China Burma India Theater until the war ended. He was honorably discharged in 1945. Lawrence married Gladys Esther Riddle in October of 1945 in Fayetteville, AR. She preceded him in death in 1972. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in finance. After graduation he was again hired by the Goodyear Corporation and returned to Plainview, TX where he worked for Goodyear for thirteen years. In 1959 he went to work for the United State Post Office in Plainview where he retired in 1981. After retirement Lawrence repaired and tuned pianos. In 1972 Lawrence married Margaret Meinecke Speck. He was the first president of the Plainview A’s Car Club (a model A Ford group). He served as president of the Plainview Historical Society from 1999 to 2003. He was a member of the Nazarene Church where he taught Sunday school classes, led singing, and served as a member of the board. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church where he was a member of the Harmony Class. He sang in the choir and also taught Sunday school class. Lawrence was also a member of The Barber Shop Quartet. In 2005 he was named Pioneer's Man of the Year. He is survived by his wife, Margaret of Plainview, TX; his daughter Nancy Carolyn Williams & husband Terry of Abilene, TX; three step children, John Speck & wife Gayle of Plainiview, TX, Nancy Speck of Arvada, CO, and Mary Speck West & husband Tom of Montrose, CO; three grandchildren, Robin Sanchez of Fort Worth, TX, Randi Williams of Abilene, TX, Reid Williams of Abilene, TX; six step-grandchildren, Michael West of Glenwood Springs,CO, Matthew West of Huntington Beach, CA, Mitchell West of Honolulu, HI, Trey Speck of Round Rock, TX, Marcy Hello of Austin, TX, and Mendy Linsenmayer of Honolulu, HI.; two great grandchildren; and six step-great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, William & Alta Lowe; his wife Gladys Lowe. The family suggests memorial contributions to B.S.A. Hospice of Amarillo P.O. Box 950 Amarillo, Texas 79105, or to the First United Methodist Church, 1001 West 7th. St., Plainview, TX 79072