  MUSKOGEE, Ok -- Edward
Llewlyn Lowery , who was
known by family as “Pa” went to be with the Lord on
Thursday, October 26, 2023. He was 91 years young. Ed
was born at Fort Apache, AZ, on September 20, 1932, to
Nan Hornett and Emmett Lowery.Ed was raised in the small community of Briartown, OK, and attended Briartown grade school until the eighth grade. Ed then went on to finish at Porum High School in Porum, OK. He attended Central State University in Edmond, OK, and received a bachelor’s degree with a major in mathematics. Ed continued his higher education by receiving a master’s degree in education from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK. Ed worked as the boy’s advisor for the Navajo Tribal School in Nazlini, AZ, as a social worker at DHS in OK, and as an educator in Tahlequah, OK. Ed came to Sequoyah Vocational School as a math teacher in the fall of 1956; became the class sponsor of the freshman class along with art teacher, Riley White, which would become the Class of 1960. He later would also be the class sponsor for the Class of 1964. He coached the boys and girls jr. high basketball teams in his early years at Sequoyah. He became one of the students favorite teachers with his booming voice and jovial nature. He was a large part of student life at Sequoyah thru the 1960s until leaving after the 1970 school year. Ed transferred to the Muskogee Bureau of Indian Affairs Area (BIA) office in Muskogee, OK, where he was eventually the Director of Higher Education for Native American post high school students. Ed helped further the careers of thousands of young Native American men and women by providing guidance and financial assistance by the program initiated by the federal government. Ed finished his career with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Muskogee, OK, in the self-determination office writing grants and proposals for Northeastern Oklahoma Native American tribes. Ed spent 38 years as a federal employee for the U.S. government. Ed loved quail hunting, fishing, and going to the lake so he could “work on the boat.” He also loved attending his children and grandchildren’s sporting events or various extracurricular activities. Ed liked watching the Florida State Seminoles’ football team with his wife, Mary, plus he liked watching baseball and the Kansas City Chiefs. His true passion was “the farm” and the “farm life” which included “Pet” cows aka (Bully, Einstein, Lazarus, Blindy, and many others), along with his dogs Lady, Bear, and his beloved house dog, Boo. Ed later transitioned to cats which included Kitty Kitty, Sadie, Spot, and WC (Wildcat). Ed grew up in a household with traditional country values of hard work, attending church regularly, and having faith and love of the Lord. Ed continued these same country values and beliefs with his own family. He continued his love of the Lord by frequently attending Sunday school, church, and studying his bible along with interacting with the several pastors and fellow believers. He leaves behind a legacy of giving, kindness, love, friendship, OPINIONS, and most important a witness for the Lord. He was proceeded in death by his mother Nan, his father, Emmett, sisters Mary Virginia and Jimmye Marie, brothers Ted, Francis, and Jerry. He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Mary Louise "Punkin" Shipp (Seq.Class of 1960); sister, Janice and her husband Forrest; daughter, Debra and her significant other, Charles; sons: Edward, Ted and wife Tamari; and Matt “Big-in”. Grandchildren: Wyatt, Rachel, Wade, Savannah, Ryan, and his greatgrandchildren: William, Jude, Raya, and Myah. He is survived by other extended family members, his “second family members,” and a lifetime of friends. In lieu of flowers the family suggest memorials be made to Keefeton Trinity Southern Baptist Church 10403 S Highway 64, Muskogee, OK 74403 in Ed’s honor. A celebration of Ed’s life was Thursday, November 2, 2023 at Keefeton Trinity Southern Baptist Church with Rod Hood, Gildean Hooper (Seq.Class of 1969) and Paul Maxey officiating. Interment followed at Greenhill Cemetery with Chad Sallee, Dan Sparks, Tom Croftcheck, Matt Lowery, Ted Lowery, and Ryan Lowery serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were: Carlos Sandoval, Ellis Williams, James Jennings (Seq.Class of 1967), John Lamon, Kenny Holdridge, Shan Spain, and Vernon Wolf (Seq.Class of 1961). |