Larry Harwood Lowder

1932 - 2024

Lowder, Larry Harwood

October 14, 1932 - December 23, 2023

GREENSBORO - Larry Harwood Lowder, 91, of Greensboro, NC died peacefully in Hospice care on Sunday, December 23, 2023. Larry was born October 14, 1932 in Stanley County to the late C.E. Lowder and Victoria Harwood Lowder. Larry attended Pfeiffer College where he met his wife-to-be, Peggy Virginia Polk. After a stint in the U.S. Army, Larry returned home. Peggy and Larry married December 29, 1956. They moved to Princeton, New Jersey where Larry completed his studies at Westminster Choir College. They settled in Hickory, North Carolina for the majority of their lives.

The Lowders then began one of the most enjoyable of their ventures, raising daughters Wendy and Ginger. Through church and work, Larry shared his musical gifts with the congregation of First United Methodist Church. Larry and Peggy moved their young family to West Hurley, New York, where he continued his graduate work, taught public school music, and served as organist for the Dutch Reformed Church. Upon returning to Hickory, Larry again served as organist at First United Methodist Church (FUMC) and soon began his 40-year tenure as a music professor at Lenoir-Rhyne College. He specialized in organ instruction and elementary music teaching methods as well as music theory. Larry and Peggy enjoyed traveling with friends, especially the FUMC choir tours to Europe. They became more settled after the birth of their three grandchildren, Jenna, Alex, and John. Larry and Peggy would consider their grandchildren the greatest of gifts.

Larry is survived by his daughters Winifred "Wendy" Lowder Weeks and Virginia "Ginger" Lowder and grandchildren, Jenna Allison Geltman, Alexander Daniel Geltman, John Webb Weeks, Jr., and his wife Jamie Dooley Weeks. Also surviving are nieces Paula Roper and Karen Lowder, Cecelia Lowder, Theresa Weems, and Ginny Gaskin and their families. He is predeceased by his wife Peggy Polk Lowder, his parents Charles E. and Victoria H. Lowder, and brothers Charles and Paul Lowder.

The funeral service was held Saturday, January 6 at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church in Hickory, North Carolina.

The family would like to thank the staff at Friends Homes of Greensboro for their experienced and loving care of Larry during his residence there. We would also like to thank Hospice of Greensboro for their guidance.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the Music Ministry of First United Methodist Church, 311 3rd Ave NE, Hickory NC, 28601, or to the Lowder Sacred Music Scholarship fund at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, NC 28603.

Condolences may be offered at www.news-record.com/obituaries/ or https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/greensboro/today.