Dr. Lee Leon Lowery, Jr.

Dr. Lowery will be honored at Texas A&M University’s College Station Muster at Reed Arena and the family wishes for anyone attending in another area of the world to please light a candle and speak, “Here” in his memory.

A Celebration of Life will be held at campus at Texas A&M University, College Station, on March 23, 2024 from 1pm - 3pm and all are invited to come together in his memory.

Texas A&M University - MSC, 275 Joe Routt Boulevard, Room 2400 (Gaines Ballroom), College Station, TX 77843 

 

“You will find, when you die, that part of yourself which you gave to others does not die with you.”

 

Dr. Lee Leon Lowery, Jr., known as “L3” to his students, passed away on February 28, 2024. He spent his lifetime learning from the world around him and in return teaching the world around him.

Born in Corpus Christi, Dr. Lowery was raised in Galveston for almost his entire childhood. He graduated from Ball High School in Galveston in 1956, then journeyed over to College Station to become an Aggie.

Dr. Lowery started at TAMU before the era of computer-enrollment. As a corps member, he was exhausted and did not make the requirements for the second semester of school, so he was told not to return. Being the plucky and determined person he always has been, he got into line with the “approved” students. It was not until after the semester began that they realized he was not supposed to be in courses, but as he had already achieved the Dean’s List, he was allowed to stay. He went on to earn three degrees from the Zachry Department of Civil Engineering, including his Ph.D. in civil engineering. He used his education to further the education of others, becoming a professor who was well-known and loved by colleagues and students alike.

Dr. Lowery had 60 years of service to Texas A&M. He accumulated more than 8,000 hours of sick leave … perhaps that makes him the Cal Ripken of Civil Engineering. Lee occasionally joked about dying in the classroom, a department head's worst nightmare. Thankfully, he avoided that scenario, though he was able to do what he loved nearly to the end as he was in the classroom through the Fall of 2023. His legacy in teaching and mentoring students will never be matched and his passion for sharing his knowledge with aspiring civil engineers was truly something to behold. He will be missed, but his legacy will continue. Lee generously donated his body to science as he now, even in death, continues allowing students to learn from him.

Outside of teaching, Dr. Lowery raised two loving daughters, listened to alternative music, loved racing his beloved 1965 CSR Elva Mk7s with his steadfast mechanic, “Dirty George” at his side. He truly enjoyed hanging out in his garage office and talking with strangers for hours on his HAM radio – his handle was “Scooter.”

He was also heavily involved in consulting and expert witness testimony (a few of his high-level cases were: Hyatt Regency Walkways Collapse, Missouri City Tower Collapse, Alcoa Superspan Collapse). Some of his advice was to always “Look at your totals and ask yourself if it makes sense.”

Dr. Lowery was a man of great intellect, generosity, and wit. He gave of himself wholly and with full commitment, always taking time to look over new ideas, help someone with their business goals, write a letter of recommendation, assist with patent applications, and especially teach new things. He loved sharing and seeking knowledge, and he will be remembered best for the love he had for his family and friends, the Texas Aggies, and God. He was a trusted friend and educator who was always there when someone had a need. He had a unique ability to serve, and people from all walks of life leaned on him for strength, advice, and assistance.

Dr. Lowery has gone Home to the loving arms of God where he joins his loving parents, Lee Leon Lowery, Sr. (also a civil engineer) and Blanche Rosella Dietrich Lowery; sister, Madeline Elizabeth Lowery; and great-nephew, West Indy Parkhurst (the son of Steven Parkhurst).

Left to carry his legacy are his daughters, Kelli Lane Lowery (James Michael Dano) and Christianne Lindsey Cruz (John Cruz); grandchildren, Dustin Tyler Lowery (Kristen Lowery), Kennedy Michelle Lowery, Megan Kathryn Grace, Kendall James Gall; great-grandchildren, Lucy K. Grace Lowery, Ryan Alan Daul, Presley Noel Erickson, Jackson Ryan Erickson, and Erin Michelle Gall; sister, Kathleen Lowery Parkhurst; nephews Steven Lowery Parkhurst (Jennifer Small Parkhurst) and their children Steven Brac Parkhurst and Zachary Kai Parkhurst; Gregory Todd Parkhurst (Meredith Sloan Parkhurst) and their children Malory Rae Parkhurst, Ashlyn Noel Parkhurst, Kendal Faith Parkhurst, and Sloan Parkhurst; and, Christopher Kyle Parkhurst (Wendi Stark Parkhurst) and their children Dylan Kyle Parkhurst and Christopher Kade Parkhurst; colleagues, friends, and all students past and present. May his impact be a permanent mark in our hearts and in our world.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: give.am/LoweryScholars, an endowment created by former Lowery students aimed to support full-time, upper-level students in good standing who are pursuing an undergraduate degree in civil engineering. Type “Dr. Lee Leon Lowery, Jr." in the memo.