Jerry T. Lowery

May 27, 1934 - November 19, 2020

Jerry Tommy Lowery was born at Claremore Indian Hospital on May 27, 1934 to Emmett and Nan Lowery of Briartown, Oklahoma. He grew up on their family farm in Briartown and attended Briartown school before attending Porum High School where he graduated in 1952. Jerry had very fond memories of his childhood surrounded by his large family. He often recalled the many winter evenings they all spent together in front of the fireplace telling stories, laughing, and eating popcorn and roasted peanuts they had grown themselves. Jerry was a sports enthusiast and was a star basketball player at Porum High School. From 1956 to 1958 Jerry served in the US Army. He enjoyed being stationed in Germany and traveled to London and Paris while he was there. Jerry found Paris especially beautiful and while there he took many photographs which he developed himself as a hobby. Following his honorable discharge from the Army Jerry returned home to Briartown and met Esther Stancell in 1958. They married in 1960. They were blessed with daughter Leslie in 1962. Taking advantage of his GI Bill Jerry attended Northeastern while also working at Safeway. On his first day at Safeway Jerry was accidentally locked in the freezer. He spent a chilly half hour there before someone happened to open the door. Afterward his coworkers affectionately called him Frosty. Jerry earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Northeastern in 1968 after which the family moved to Tulsa where he taught school and simultaneously continued his education at Northeastern. In 1970 he earned a master’s degree in counseling and began working at Bacone College as Director of Special Services and Counselor for 29 years. In 1976 Jerry and Esther were blessed with the birth of daughter Amy. Throughout his career at Bacone Jerry enjoyed supporting the basketball team and became good friends with coaches and their families. He spent many happy hours traveling with the team including out of state. Jerry deeply valued and was valued by the Bacone students and faculty. He developed many close friendships which continued up until his death. Following retirement from Bacone Jerry stayed busy on their farm and ranch in the Keefeton/Martin area south of Muskogee. Jerry enjoyed farm work and continued to bale hay until just a month or so before he passed away from aggressive cancer on Thursday, November 19, 2020. Jerry took pride in his large vegetable and watermelon garden. His most treasured watermelons were the small, sweet ‘Mountain Hoosier’ variety. In addition to maintaining the cattle herd he also mowed and maintained 2 large lawns of several acres each. Jerry treasured St. Paul Methodist church where he often served as usher. The second Sunday of October was the last time his health permitted him to attend. His friends and loved ones have described him as optimistic, hardworking, fun loving, honest, and generous. In addition to his outdoor ranch work Jerry cherished time with his family and many friends. He was an intrepid traveler especially with his wife Esther as well as with other family members and friends. A particularly special vacation was a fishing trip to Alaska with his grandson James Baker, Jim Baker and David Ruble. They returned with many ice chests filled with delicious Halibut. One of Jerry and Esther’s trips together was to Washington DC where they visited many museums, the White House, senate chambers, and numerous memorials and landmarks. Jerry adored swimming and the ocean. He and Esther and the family took many vacations to the coasts including San Diego, San Francisco, Newport and Destin. Jerry and Esther had an especially memorable trip together to California where they visited family in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara and drove together up the scenic Pacific Coast Highway and on to Oregon. There were also numerous trips to the Rocky Mountains and other destinations too numerous to list. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Emmett and Nan Lowery, sister, Mary Virginia, brother Ted who was killed in action in Korea, his sister Jimmie Marie, and brother Francis. Those left behind are his wife of 60 years Esther, daughter Leslie, daughter Amy (CD McGuire), grandson James Baker (Jacqueline), grandson Adam McGuire, and great grandson Jamie Baker. Also, brother Ed Lowery (Mary), sister Nina Smith (Grant), and sisters Janice Kelse, and Jonann Davis. Jerry treasured time spent with his two grandsons riding four wheelers, and fishing. Jerry spent special time with his grandson Adam who is a special needs child with autism. Quotes from friends about Jerry: Never a dull moment around Jerry. Jerry was the second most influential man in my life after my own dad. To Jerry working was fun. Guys like Jerry almost never come along. He was a special person who touched a lot of lives. Quote about Jerry from his loving family: He made our hearts sing. In lieu of flowers Jerry’s family suggest memorials be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church at: https://stpaulmuskogee.com/. A celebration of Jerry’s life will be 12PM, Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at St. Paul United Methodist Church with Rev. Emery Mason officiating. Interment will follow at Fort Gibson National Cemetery with C.D. McGuire, James Baker, Jim Baker, Jimmy Voight, Matt Skaggs and Nick Reich serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Jamie Voight, Paul McCann, Ralph Wilson and Russell Wilson.