Robert Olin ("Bob") Lowery left this earth to walk in the Garden of his Lord on August 25, 2005, after a lengthy illness. He was born on December 1, 1924, to Clara and Nathaniel Lowery, in Wichita, Kansas. The family moved to Lubbock, Texas in 1937 and he graduated from Lubbock High School in 1942. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1943, and served with the Fourth Marine Division. He fought in the battle of Iwo Jima, serving as a radioman.

Bob returned to Lubbock after the war and earned his degree in Electrical Engineering at Texas Tech. During his school years he worked as broadcast engineer for KSEL Radio. He married Marion Jane Williams in 1947. After a long and courageous battle with cancer, she died in 1996. Marion and Bob personified the line of the marital vows, "in sickness, and in health," as they supported each other as they each suffered serious illnesses. As Marion was under treatment for her cancer she still was arranging care for Bob who was bed-ridden with a life-threatening illness. Theirs is a story of love, dedication, and grace.

Bob worked as a Communications Engineer for Southwestern Public Service and later, for General Electric. His work took them from Lubbock to Tulsa, and then to Washington D.C., to Dallas, and to Midland. He worked as an independent consultant for several years after retiring from G.E. He was an avid ham radio operator and won numerous awards from the ARRL, the national "ham" organization. At a national convention held in Dayton, earlier this year, he was recognized as one of a very few operators ever to contact every country in the world. Bob also enjoyed gardening, bird watching, and travel. He was a 32nd degree Mason.

Bob lost one brother, Dr. Don Lowery, of Hobbs, New Mexico, in 2003, and is survived by the other, Dr. Richard Lowery of Stillwater, Oklahoma. Bob was grateful for the care and friendship he received from Ms. Connie Staton, Mrs. Alicia Esparza, and from his niece, Mrs.Valerie McCready, during his illnesses.

Arrangements are being handled by Ellis Funeral Home and visitation will be held at Ellis on Sunday, August 27, 2005 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. A graveside service will he held for friends and family at Resthaven Memorial Park on Monday, August 29, 2005 at 10:30 a.m. followed by a memorial service at First United Methodist Church, in the Glass Chapel, at 11:00 a.m. The family suggests any memorials be made to Judith Karman Hospice, in Stillwater, Oklahoma, or to the SPCA of Midland.

Published in the Midland Reporter-Telegram from 8/27/2005 - 8/28/2005.