John Anthony Lowden Jr.

On March 31, 1985, the life of a soldier began for John Anthony Lowden, Jr. to the parents of Sally McNeil and Tony Lowden. He was graduated from Elk Grove High School. Upon graduation he completed coursework at Cal State and Bakersfield University before joining the United States military.
In 2005, John enlisted in the United States Army under the 18Xray provision. Upon completion of the Special Forces Qualification Course, he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (A), Alpha company, Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) 714 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina as a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant. John deployed to AFG in support of Operation Enduring Freedom X in 2007. He was later assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th SFG, ODA 785 where he served as a Weapons Sergeant in support of multiple combat deployments to AFG, Operation Enduring Freedom. Additionally, John deployed to El Salvador in support of Counter Narcotic/Terrorism missions combating drug operations. It was in 3rd Battalion where John earned the coveted Combat Diver badge.
John was later assigned to 4th Battalion, 7thSFG, where he deployed to AFG again in support of OEFXX with ODA 7415 in 2013. John's last assignment in Group was with 3rd Battalion, 7thSFG, where he deployed to AFG in support of Operation Resolute Support in 2016. John was medically discharged in 2016 after serving his country for over 10 years on Active Duty. John's combat deployments placed him in harm's way, supporting the Global War on Terror, for a period of over 36 months. John's outstanding efforts and contributions during his combat operations directly impacted countless teammates, commanders, units, and most importantly, enemies of the United States. On February 28, 2024, loss his life to an untimely domestic fate.
John was preceded in death by grandmother, Pauline; uncle, Richard Dale Dempsey; uncle, Michael Dempsey; and aunt, Michelle Dempsey.
Left to honor his legacy and cherish his memories are children, Arianna Lowden, Caleb Garcia, and Jocelyn Garcia; former wife, Lynette Lapin; sister, Shantina Lowden; brother, Maurice Hook; father, Tony (Georgette) Lowden; mother, Sally McNeil; brothers, Prince William Lowden, Reverend Mattie Lowden, Bobby Lowden; sisters, Dawn Lowden, Aisha Lowden, JaNyiah Lowden, Tabitha Lowden; grandfather, Edward H. Leiser; grandmother, Ruth Lowden; uncle, Bernard Lowden; aunts, Kim Lisinski, Judy Leiser, Jill Leiser, Germaine Lowden, Stephanie Lowden, and Yvette Lowden; and a host of cousins and cherished loved ones.