Ronald E. Lowe went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on the evening of July 31, 2014 at the VA Medical Center in Helena, Montana. His family was present at his side.
He was born on October 25, 1947 in Chariton, Iowa to Max and Margaret Lowe. He grew up with his family in Iowa before joining the military.
Ron served in the United States Navy from 1967 – 1973 as a Hospital Man 3rd Class. During his years with the Navy, he was attached to the United States Marine Corps, where he served as a Corpsman with the 3rd Recon Battalion, 3rd Marine Division in South Vietnam. He accompanied his team on long range patrols, where he medically treated the wounded, which earned him the nickname “Doc Lowe”. He was awarded various medals for service to his country including: the Purple Heart Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat Valor.
He met his sweetheart, Yvonne, in 1970 while stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA and shortly after that they were married. After his discharge from the Navy, they made their home in Iowa, where their sons and daughter were born. Over the course of their life together they moved back to California before settling in Montana in 2005.
He used his experience from the Navy to serve as a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician-Ambulance from 1974 to 1978 in Iowa. He was such a generous person and would help anyone in need. His last wish was to donate his corneas to the SightLife Eye Bank to help a stranger one last time.
Mr. Lowe is survived by his wife of 44 years, Yvonne; sons: Jason and Tim; daughter, Janie Smalley; 4 grandchildren: Leia, Alexander, Gabrielle, & Rowan; his mother, Margaret; his siblings and their families: brothers: Roger and Dean; and sister, Jean Odom. He was preceded in death by his father, Max; and his sister, Marilyn Dunkel.
The family we receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 6th at Retz Funeral Home. A Funeral Service will be held 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 7th at Retz Funeral Home, 315 E. 6th Avenue. Burial with Military Honors will follow the service at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery. A reception will follow the graveside service at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home Social Hall, 3750 N. Montana Avenue. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Ron.
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday August 6, 2014
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Avenue
Helena , Montana 59601
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Thursday August 7, 2014
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Avenue
Helena , Montana 59601
Graveside Service
Following the funeral service
Thursday August 7, 2014
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana
Reception
Following the graveside service
Thursday August 7, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena , Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday August 6, 2014
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Avenue
Helena , Montana 59601
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Thursday August 7, 2014
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Avenue
Helena , Montana 59601
Graveside Service
Following the funeral service
Thursday August 7, 2014
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana
Reception
Following the graveside service
Thursday August 7, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena , Montana 59602
Share
Madeline says
I didn’t know Ron and I live in another state, but I want to thank him and his family for his service to our country. May he rest in peace.
God Bless
Roseanne Shrull says
My deepest sympathies to all. Rest assured he is safe and free from all pain with his Lord.
John n julie Maldonado says
PRAYERS TO YOUR FAMILY LOVE YOU JANIE
Christine Medicine Bull says
My sympathies go out to you and family. Thinking of you in prayer.
Debbie and Zale Wampler says
Our deepest sympathies go out to my sister Yvonne and their children, Jason, Janie, and Tim. My prayers are for them that they may find comfort knowing that Ron is in heaven, that his pain has ended, and he is surrounded by love, for God is love. Sweet sister, you will see him again in heaven and you will feel his loving embrace, but for now know that we are here for you!
Jon Carroll says
Dear Lowe Family,
I’m so terribly sorry for your loss. My heart aches for you all. May God bless and keep you and yours during this trying time.
Connie McAlpine says
Dear Yvonne and Janie, it has been a pleasure to meet you through church. By the time I met Ron he was already ill, but he impressed me as a man who was at peace. Reading about his military career here helps me see that he was a very level-headed man who looked outside himself to others, and I am confident that he did that to please the Lord. May God help fill the void you and Jason and Tim are experiencing and comfort you with the sure hope of eternal life in heaven.
Kayleen Gilliland says
I am so sorry of the loss! May my sympathy be with your family!!
John Richards says
During my late teen years in Pleasantville, the Lowes were a second family for me. I think I spent more time at the house on the corner than I did at my own home on the weekends. Most of my time there was spent with Roger, but Ron was always around also. Ron teased us, because of course, HE WAS OLDER AND WISER BY A WHOLE YEAR. But at the same time, we always knew Ron would be there for us if we ever got in trouble. I had a great deal of respect for him when I was growing up and had even more after learning what he went through and what he accomplished while in the military. And, I am not surprised at all that he spent a lot of his life helping others. Ron was indeed one of the good ones, who unfortunately left us way too soon.
Pat Kent says
We came to know Ron at First Baptist Church, Poway, CA. He was a very loving man, and I am so glad he and his family became part of our fellowship. God bless you, Yvonne, Jason, Tim and Janie. We love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!