SAMUEL LOWER

SAMUEL LOWER ALEXANDRIA, IN: Samuel Wayne Lower, 73, of Alexandria, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 15, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on March 1, 1952, in Anderson to Dr. Alton Raymond Lower and Madie Eileen Deetz and was an Alexandria resident for most of his lifetime. He was a graduate of Alexandria-Monroe High School-Class of 1970 where he earned 15 varsity letters. During his high school career, Sam earned all-conference honors in football, basketball, and baseball. Sam continued that excellence at Manchester College, where he was later inducted into the Hall of Fame as a member of the 1971 golf team. His athletic accomplishments were truly exceptional. At Manchester College, Sam set multiple football records including career receptions (106), single season receptions (44 in 1972), and the longest touchdown pass in school history (85 yards). In 1974, Sam gained national recognition by winning the Tournament of Knights competition in North Webster, Indiana, defeating 31 other competitors across multiple sports including baseball, basketball, football, golf, track, and tennis. This achievement earned him a feature in the International Palace of Sports alongside celebrity host of Wide World of Sports Chris Schenkel. He was also an ambidextrous bowler, picking up hanging 10 pins left-handed highlighting his unique talents. His love for sports and competition was epic even after college athletics. He coached baseball and worked countless hours tending to all of the baseball diamonds in Alexandria and was a basketball referee for high school and college games, including Indiana University contests where he became a well-known tormentor of legendary coach Bobby Knight. A magazine cover photo captured him standing with Coach Knight, a treasured family memory. A lover of the game of golf, Sam was one of the founders of the Yule Men's Golf Club in Alexandria, a member of Fox Prairie Golf Club in Noblesville, and a member and ranger at Bear Slide Golf Club in Cicero. Sam lived a life full of adventure, achievement, and laughter. Sam was a true renaissance man whose diverse career path reflected his curiosity and determination. He worked as a door-to-door salesman for pots and pans, labored at the North Manchester foundry making steel manhole covers and taught high school science and PE at Madison Grant High School. Sam owned and operated OneStop Insurance in Anderson for several years. Moving on from OneStop, he worked for First Merchants Bank in Indianapolis. After semi-retiring, Sam worked as a financial consultant specializing in annuities from his home. He pursued entrepreneurial ventures as an inventor. As one of the founding members of the Monroe Township Groundhog Society, Sam served as the organization's mascot, reflecting his playful spirit and sense of humor. Sam was known for his quick wit and constant joke telling, always bringing laughter to those around him without ever making anyone the target of his humor. His warmth and kindness touched everyone he met. On June 3, 1972, Sam married Marsha Lynn Johnson in Alexandria, Indiana. Together they built a loving family and were blessed with four children: Ben, Cari, David, and Aaron. After Marsha's passing in 1999, Sam found love again and married Diana L. Aiman (Overdorf) on January 27, 2001, in Alexandria, Indiana. Sam was a devoted father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He cherished his role in his children's lives and took immense joy in his many grandchildren and great grandchildren, passing on his love of sports, his sense of humor, and his zest for life. Sam's legacy lives on through his family, his many friends, and all the lives he touched with his humor, kindness, and zest for living life to the fullest. We share with you Sam's life scripture: "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28. Sam is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Diana; his children Ben (Sarah) Lower, Cari Lower Cambridge, David (Jodi) Lower, and Aaron (Misha) Lower; his step-children Kyle Aiman and Brandon (Amber) Aiman; his father-in-law Neal Johnson; his grandchildren Kennedy (Sean) McDermott, Mallory (Carlos) Pardo, Allison Aiman (Kree), Gavin Lower, Maddie Lower, Jon Aiman, Teddy Cambridge, Franklin Cambridge, Landon Lower, Charlotte Cambridge, Eloise Lower, Daphne Lower, and Fitz Lower; his great grandchildren Julianna, Everly, Kleveland, Kiptyn, Zion, Kehlani; his siblings Susan (Duane) Cox, Stan (Kathi) Lower, and Sharon (Mike) Campbell. Brothers-in-law and Sisters-in-law-Dr. Mike (Cathy) Johnson, Doug (Dedie) Johnson, David (Kris) Johnson, Molly Wisehart, Cinda (Steve) Horine, Rita (Charles) Barrett, Scott (Susan) Overdorf. He was preceded in death by his parents, Al Lower and Eileen Lower; his first wife, Marsha Lynn Johnson Lower, his brother, Scott Blaine Lower, mother-in-law and father-in-law-Doris and William Overdorf, mother-in-law-Phyllis Johnson, Brothers-in-law-Don Overman and Chester Long. A Celebration of Sam's life will take place at 3 pm on Saturday, July 12, 2025, in the Christian Congregation Church, 11015 North 300 East, Alexandria. Pastor Kevin Young will officiate with others participating. The Lower family will receive friends in the Christian Congregation Church after 1 pm on Saturday, prior to the service. Inurnment will take place in the Garden of Serenity Columbarium in Park View Cemetery in Alexandria at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation at https://themmrf.org/ Sam's care and service arrangements have been entrusted to Owens Funeral Home in Alexandria. Online condolences: www.owensmemorialservices.com