James E. Lowry

James E. Lowry, 88, was called home by our Lord on March 4, 2016 after a brief illness. He was preceded in death by brothers Clifton (Bud) and William (Bo); sisters, Flossie and Anna Laura (Sue); another sister, Beth, currently resides in Albuquerque. James is survived by wife Wilma. He was the father of an adoring and grateful daughter, Rebecca, and served as a stand-in dad for two remarkable people, Bill McConnell and Margaret McConnell Baca. James was born on Cane Creek, Arkansas to James Robert and Rose Etta Lowry, and grew up in Furth and Little Rock. Although underage, James convinced his mother to sign for him to enter the U.S. Navy when he was 17. He served in the South Pacific aboard troop transport ships and at the submarine base at Pearl Harbor. On the train to basic training in San Diego, James first saw and fell in love with New Mexico and said if he survived the war, he would make the desert his home. From 1947 forward, he did just that, living in the Old Town area and walking to his first job at Kress's downtown. He later went to work for Perry & Lowery Oil Company and soon purchased several Phillips 66 service stations, operating them during the time when Central Avenue was a major player on America's Mother Road, Route 66. Later, James became a recognizable local character as "Ye Olde Lamplighter" for Southern Union Gas Company. He would ultimately retire from the Montgomery Ward service department after having established a reputation for knowing how to fix just about anything. James loved nature and all animals, but had a special place in his heart for horses, and a lifelong passion for pari-mutuel horseracing. His daily hobby was handicapping races at tracks across the country. He made certain his little daughter had a horse because he believed kids responsible for a horse have no time to get into trouble and that they learn how to care about another living thing instead of just themselves.
If there was ever one word that must have been coined especially to describe James Lowry, it would be "selfless." James gave endlessly to help others, and asked nothing for himself, right to the very end.
We know he would want us to express his gratitude for the kindnesses extended him by many Angels On Earth, including Respiratory Therapist Penelope and Sister Stella of Lovelace Medical Center; Michael, Ellen, and Andi of the Senior Citizens' Law Office; the ever-vigilant team from Amber Care Hospice; the wonderful people at Cielos Abiertos; and the caring team at FRENCH Funerals & Cremations.
If you would like to honor James' life, please consider making a contribution in his name to Walkin N Circles Ranch/NM Horse Rescue, www.wncr.org/ or to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). www.aspca.org/donate.