James Lowery

James Lowery never wanted to part with anything. He was a collector of things, a hardworking, sentimental man, loyal and loveable to the last. James was a proud veteran, dedicated worker, avid outdoorsman, and a man of many hobbies. Most of all, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, who prized his family above all. Jamess story began on a cool fall day in 1931, in the little town of Dyersburg, Tennessee. Those were such tough times in this country, which was caught in the teeth of the Great Depression. There was little sign of light at the end of the tunnel for many Americans, yet George and Beatrice (Lambert) Lowery found a little light on November 4, 1931, with the birth of a baby son they named James. James was joined by his little sister Ginny in the familys home, though he had an older sister, Margaret, who sadly died at birth. When he was just a boy, the family packed up and left the South, moving to the shoreline city of Muskegon, Michigan in search of better opportunities. His dad found a good job at Shaw Walker there, while his mother cared for the family and the home. James attended Nims Elementary School in Muskegon, but he was much more interested in hunting and fishing as boy, which were two lifelong loves for him. James eventually left school in high school to find full-time work, anxious to get out in the world. In July of 1954, James enlisted in the U.S. Army, having witnessed the heroism of his countrymen in World War II and Korea. He served his country proudly for two years, and was primarily stationed in West Germany during the peak of the Cold War. After he was discharged in June of 1956, James received some bad news: his father had died of cancer, at the age of 50. He returned home to care for his mother and sister, and to begin a new chapter in his life. Back in Muskegon, James became acquainted with a beautiful young neighbor named Mattie French. They began dating, and quickly fell head-over-heels for each other. After just a six-week courtship, James proposed to her, and the happy couple was married on September 15, 1956, in Corinth, Mississippi, where Jamess best man lived. James found a number of jobs to make ends meet, and it wasnt long before the newlyweds became parents, too. The couple was blessed with three wonderful children over the years, sons Bill and Steve, and their daughter Brenda. The family did much together over the years, especially their annual, two-week trip to Tennessee to visit Jamess mother there, usually staying in a cabin or at a relatives home. James loved those trips, packing the family and the dog (they always had a dog) into the car and heading down South together, forming so many memories along the way. James was an excellent provider for his family, and a very hardworking man. In 1964, he found a good job at Shaw Walker, like his father did before him. Ever the loyal, sentimental man he was, James enjoyed his job at Shaw Walker, and stayed there the rest of his career, working in a number of capacities over the years. James also enjoyed his coworkers, and loved to play softball with them at the company picnics. He also was encouraged to go back to school, and studied and completed his GED in 1971, a proud moment for him. James continued working at Shaw Walker until he retired in February of 1994, after 29 years at the company. His last job there was working as a laminator. Once he retired, James found more time for his many, many hobbies and interests. He loved to read, usually something about World War II or the Civil War, or National Geographic or Readers Digest. He loved watching Wild Kingdom, old Westerns or Hee Haw on TV. James especially loved country and bluegrass music, and was a fan of the Grand Ole Opry programs, too. He also enjoyed playing the lottery and bingo, and spending time with his many friends at the American Legion, where he was a longtime member. James especially enjoyed collecting things, and much to Matties chagrin, never wanted to part with anything! He enjoyed going to yard sales, finding coins, baseball caps and belt buckles to add to his impressive collections. Yet most of all, James enjoyed spending time with his beloved wife, children, and seven grandchildren, who always brightened his days. He also enjoyed his pets, being a lifelong animal lover. James and Mattie had a talking parakeet, who hed sneak a sip of beer to every once in awhile, and his most recent dog, a Chihuahua named BeBe, was one of his favorites. The dog cried when his master left the home for the last time. James sadly died at his home in the early hours of Sunday, January 6, 2008, at the age of 76. James was wonderful man, hardworking and sentimental, loyal and loveable to the last. He was a proud veteran, a dedicated worker, and an avid outdoorsman, and a man of many hobbies. Most of all, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, who prized his family above all. He will be greatly missed. James is survived by his wife of over 51 years, Mattie; 2 sons, William "Bill" (Mary) Lowery of Muskegon, Steve (Lori) Lowery of Fremont; 1 daughter, Brenda (Michael) Jensen of Muskegon; 7 grandchildren: Nicole, Erica, Samantha, Andrew, William, Jr., Kenny, and Ryan; sister, Virginia "Ginny" (Bill) Collins of Puryear, TN; nieces, nephews, cousins; sister-in-law, Linda (Harold) Hardin of Camden, TN; 2 brothers-in-law, Robert (Imogene) French of Camden, TN and Bill French of Muskegon. Mr. Lowery was predeceased by his parents and a sister, Margaret. Services are scheduled for Tuesday, January 8, 2008, 1:00 P.M. at Clock Chapel with Pastor David M. Cadle officiating. Interment at Egelston Township Cemetery. Visitation is Monday, January 7, 2008, 6-8 P.M. at Clock Lifestory Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to the Hackley Visiting Nurse Services & Hospice. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or sign the online guest book.