LOWE OBITUARIES, Henry County, Missouri ==================================================================== LOWE, George Ralph Jr. 1916 - 1999 Clinton Daily Democrat, Mon. Nov 1 1999 - George Ralph Lowe, Jr. was born March 19, 1916, to Ralph and Laura (Shellabarger) Lowe, in Louisa County; Iowa. He graduated from Letts, Iowa High School and was a post-graduate student at Columbia High. He attended Chillicothe Business College and during the summer break in 1936, went to work for the Nourse Oil Company of Kansas City. What was meant to be only a summer job rapidly became a full-time position. In 1940 he and Darline moved to Clinton as it was more central to his sales district. He found time to pitch in semi- professional softball in the 194Os. During World War II, he was a flight instructor in the CPT program and enlisted in the United States Navy toward the latter part of the war. He established Clinton's first airport in 1946 and was the first station agent for the then, fledgling Ozark Airlines, which operated between Springfield and Kansas City, with an "as- needed" stop in Clinton. Ralph established the Lowe Oil Company in 1958 and included his three sons in the business. It was as the development/owner of Lowe Oil Company that Ralph is best remembered by many in our city - as an excellent and very fair businessman. He is remembered as a member of the "old school" that believed a man's word was his bond and that a handshake was as good as a contract. He remained active in the family business until his stroke in 1993. In a very real sense. Ralph's life was centered in his work, which may have been due in part to his having come into adulthood in the Depression. And if his work was at the center of his life, the golf course was his beloved hobby. Golf was always important to him. but his greatest joy and pride came in seeing that the course he established was kept well groomed. Always concerned with the well-being of his community. Ralph served as a Clinton city councilman, president of the Clinton School Board, a member of the Missouri Clean Water Commission, and was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. He was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church of Clinton, a 50-year member of the American Legion, a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason - Clinton Lodge No.548, and a member of the KAABA Shrine of Davenport, Iowa. Having noted these activities and memberships, it is important to observe that Ralph was not one to seek public acclaim or the spotlight, but was content to do much good "behind the scenes", helping many without bringing attention to himself or embarrassment to those he helped. Ralph continued to reside in his home until he was hospitalized at Golden Valley Hospital on October 14, 1999. It was there that he died early Sunday morning, October 24. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his only brother, Dean Lowe, and his wife of nearly 55 years, Darline (Masonholder) Lowe. He is survived by his three sons, G. R. and wife Martha, Greg and wife Carlene, and David and wife Shirley, all of Clinton. Also surviving are grandchildren, Cynthia Groff, Jeff Lowe, Chris Lowe, Kim Mitchell, Matt Lowe and Megan Lowe, all of Clinton. and Sara Jane Komer of Springfield. He is also survived by six great- grandchildren. Annie, Hayden and Allie Lowe, Duncan and Nolan Groff and Courtney Angelhow. Among the tributes paid by his family are these words: He was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. Ralph will always remain special in the hearts and memories of his family." And brother-in-law Paul adds: "Ralph was more than a brother-in-law. He was an excellent friend." Funeral services were held at the, First Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, October 26, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Howard Cupp. Jr. and Dr. Gus Wetzel officiating. The music was "If You Could See Me Now" and "This Day" with Cynthia Groff as soloist and Gay Smith as pianist. Pallbearers were grandsons Chris Lowe, Matt Lowe and Jeffrey R. Lowe and grandsons- in-law, Tony Komer, Dr. Gary Groff and Eric Mitchell. Honorary pallbearers were Don Barbee, Richard Hendrich, Gerald Salmon, Vance Cover, Dr James Clouse, Paul Masonholder and Walter Dehn. Burial was in the Englewood Cemetery, Clinton, under the direction of Vansant-Mills Funeral Home of Clinton. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by the Henry County MOGenWeb http://www.rootsweb.com/~mohenry/henryco.html Contact the Henry County Coordinator for comments or corrections. ====================================================================