Obituary of Alvin Lowe

Longtime Flagler, Colorado resident Cecil Alvin Lowe passed away on July, 2, 2008 at his home in Flagler. He was 86 years old. Alvin, as he was known, was born on January 19, 1922 in Swink, Colorado to Arthur and Agnes (Radspinner) Lowe. He was the eldest of seven children. Alvin received his education at First Central south of Stratton, attending all twelve years there and graduating in 1940. He and his sister Velma graduated together in that same year and their cousin Don Thompson (who was more like a brother) graduated a year earlier in 1939. As times were hard in rural Eastern Colorado during the depression, life was also hard for the people who lived here. During the “dust bowl daysâ€?, Alvin and his family worked hard just to survive, and survive they did on a diet of beans, rabbit, cornbread, eggs and milk. “Aunt Sisâ€? (Velma) recounted that the wind and dirt simply blew out the plants in the garden and fields making it very difficult to raise anything for stock or human consumption. During those difficult times Alvin and Velma and their parents were blessed with the arrival or twins, Elva and Velva, and seven months later in May of 1931, their mother Agnes died; leaving their father Arthur alone to care for his family until he remarried a wonderful and caring lady named Thelma Nielson. To this union a brother and sisters Ladeen, Paul, and Judy were born. During his early years and after graduation Alvin was involved in farming and ranching with his father until serving in the US Army during WWII. Alvin was drafted into military service on August 27, 1945 and was honorable discharged 21 months later on May 2, 1946, during which time he served as a medic. After returning to Stratton, Alvin married Julia McCormick on October 26, 1946 and to this union two children were born; Kathleen and Jack. Julia was a great wife, mother and companion. Together they built a loving, successful life sharing along the way various common interests. In their travels, they visited the state of Alaska, where Alvin did some fishing and both enjoyed visiting antique stores and the sights along the way. There were the annual pilgrimages to Palisade, Colorado to pick fruit for themselves, family and friends, as well as occasional trips to visit family. Alvin spent his life farming and ranching; raising primarily cattle, sheep and wheat. (His neighbors will remember the sheep). As Kathleen had a passion for animals in general and especially horses, the two of them enjoyed cattle drives together and even later in life he also enjoyed Kathleen’s budding cowherd; to which he contributed a heifer for breeding stock. When crops were poor, Alvin started attending farms sales and began a salvage business to supplement the family income. It is possible that there may still be a few pieces of equipment scattered about the country that didn’t get removed. During his later years, in semi-retirement, Alvin took great pride in helping his son Jack with the harvesting of his crops. (Sometimes there were “slightâ€? differences of opinion of how to do things). He would often enlist his granddaughter Kristina’s help driving the combine while he caught a few winks or had a cup of coffee. Alvin was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife Julia of 56 years, and one sister Velva Pickard. He is survived by his two children; his daughter Kathleen Hickey and her husband John of Stratton and their children Jennifer, Michelle and Morgan; his son Jack Lowe and his wife Joni of Stratton and their children Kristina and Megan. Also surviving Alvin are three sisters Velma “Sisâ€? Pratt of New Market, IA, Ladeen Mills and her husband Chuck of Stratton, Elva “Jackieâ€? Akins of Denver, Colorado, Judy Johnson and her husband Wade of Grand Junction, Colorado and one brother Paul Lowe of Stratton, Colorado. Mass of Christian Burial for Mr. Lowe was held on Monday, July 7, 2008 at 10:00 AM at the St. Charles Catholic Church in Stratton, with Father Ernie Bond officiating. Burial with Military Honors was held in the Flagler Cemetery. Visitation was held on Sunday, July 6, 2008 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the funeral home in Burlington. Memorials may be made in Alvin’s name to the Caring Hands Hospice, Flagler Ambulance or to the Flagler Fire Department and may be left at or sent to the Equitable Savings and Loan in Burlington.