November 18, 1939 ~ November 22, 2012
Alfred Lowe, 73, of Caldwell, Kansas passed away Thursday, November 22, 2012. Alfred was born November 18, 1939, in Caldwell, Kansas, to Howard and Grace (Cadwalader) Lowe. Alfred was the second of six children. He graduated from Caldwell High School in 1957. He excelled in football as a full back, earning all-state football honors and several football scholarship offers. After high school, he attended Central College in McPherson, Kansas and Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois before transferring and graduating from Southwestern College of Winfield, Kansas. In 1960, he married Charlene Grimm and to this union Ann Elaine was born. Later, he married Margaret Knisely Wencel and to this union Todd William was born.
Alfred taught in several schools in Kansas and Oklahoma before settling in Wellington, Kansas to become a Government teacher at Wellington High School. Alfred went on to further his education and received his Masters from Northwestern State University in Alva, Oklahoma. He then became Vice Principal at Wellington High School until retirement in 1995. As a teacher and administrator, he had the opportunity to touch many lives, some with a paddle, some with kind and encouraging words.
Alfred had a passion and love for flying. He was hard of hearing and yet could hear a plane flying 10 miles away. The first plane he owned was a single engine Mooney and he subsequently traded it for a twin engine Piper Comanche. He flew famous people and anyone else who was willing or courageous enough. You never knew if he would turn the flight into a roller coaster ride or if he would take an opportunity to “buzz” unsuspecting friends below.
He was ornery and a practical joker. He was known for prank phone calls, such as the time he called Dorothy Dvorak pretending to be from the Wichita Eagle and carrying out a full interview with Dorothy as a potential school board candidate. Alfred provided many opportunities to laugh at him as well; like the time he rushed home from school, still in his suit, hooked the rotary hoe to his new pickup and proceeded to the field to strip ground.
Alfred treasured farm life. He had a love for traveling, especially to Colorado and seeing new places. He was an avid reader and would often finish a 300+ page book in one evening. Alfred enjoyed watching OU football games and going to his grandkids sporting events.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret of Caldwell; daughters Ann Morgan and husband Robert of Goddard, Kansas, Tyann Orton and husband Kelly of Wellington, Kansas; son Robbie Wencel and wife Jan of Caldwell, Kansas; brothers David Lowe and wife Diana of Caldwell, Kansas; Richard Lowe and wife Joyce of Caldwell, Kansas; Paul Lowe and wife Michelle of Florence, South Carolina; sisters Margaret Freemyer and husband Paul of Helotes, Texas; Mary Cauble and husband Glenn of Granbury, Texas; 10 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and son Todd Lowe.
Memorials may be given to the Central Christian Church, Wellington Alumni Association or to the Caldwell Alumni Association.
Funeral services will be held 1:30 P.M. Monday, November 26, 2012 at the Central Christian Church, Caldwell, Kansas.
Interment will be in the Caldwll City Cemetery.
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Condolences
Dave and Peggy Ginn
Family and Friends - 11/23/2012
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love and God bless you.
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Jerome and Judy Niebaum
Family and Friends - 11/23/2012
Remembering the fun times with Alfred at CHS. Although Alfred cracked my ribs in tackling practice, he was a super player for us. Belated thanks to you Alfred, for letting me fly your twin engine plane, with your help. No apologies for all the times I beat you and your dad at ping pong.
Fond memories come flooding back. Our best to the family in your time of sorrow.
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Bill & Vonya
Family and Friends - 11/23/2012
We were so very sorry to hear your loss of Alfred. Love and prayers to his family.
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Alan Kubik
Family and Friends - 11/23/2012
I, too, remember Alfred as a classmate at Caldwell High School. Condolences to all of his family.
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Joni (Everhart) Hopkins
Family and Friends - 11/24/2012
Alfred will forever be Mr. Lowe to me. I have wonderful High School memories of Mr. Lowe at Wellington High! He was a great man and influenced so many young lives through his career in education. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time.
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Royce & Paula Tatum
Family and Friends - 11/24/2012
Al had that 'extra something' that made a teacher approachable and special. Both of our sons respected Mr. Lowe so much as an administrator at Wellington High School. He will be repectfully remembered by many. Our prayers go out to his family and friends.
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Teri Stinson Beamer
Family and Friends - 11/24/2012
He was a memorable teacher, one I have never forgot. Many special memories from his class. My sympathies to his family and friends.
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Vickie Bartlow Ricke
Family and Friends - 11/24/2012
Sincere sympathies to the Lowe family: Mr. Lowe was one of my favorite teachers--High School Government 1972. What a very fun and interesting man. He never forgot me and would always speak when our paths crossed. So sorry for your loss.
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Ken and Shirley Everhart
Family and Friends - 11/24/2012
Alfred has been a friend for many years beginning at Southwestern when we played football together to his years at Wellington in the high school where my family also lived at that time and loved him so much. He was a great friend and my family will all miss him. Our regards to his family.
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Mike & Alishia (Peninger) Moon
Family and Friends - 11/24/2012
Alfred was the vice principle of Wellington High School when I was there, and my husband Mike worked for Alfred back in the late 80's early 90's. Mike and I are very sorry to hear about Alfred. He will be missed.
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Gina Prewitt
Family and Friends - 11/24/2012
I am so sorry magie! He was a great man..He will be missed by many!! I love you magie,if there is anything I can do let me know! Prayer go out to you and you're family!
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Shelley McGaughey Ables
Family and Friends - 11/24/2012
I'm so sorry to hear of Mr. Lowe's passing. He was a great teacher. There are so many good memories in his classroom and in his airplane! Thanks for taking the yearbook class for a roller coaster ride in the fall of 1969!
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Judy Mott Larimore
Family and Friends - 11/24/2012
Alfred was a year ahead of me at Caldwell High. When I think of him I remember all the football games he played in and the fun times we all had growing up in the 50's. It was a big deal for farm kids to come to town their freshman year. Alfred was one of the older sophomore kids we looked up to. I'm so sorry for your loss. Hearing this news makes life seem too short.
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Jeff Sneed & Sneed Family
Family and Friends - 11/24/2012
Al was a close and dear friend to the entire Sneed family - may God Bless the Al Lowe family during this time.
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Jim A. Fuhrmann
Family and Friends - 11/25/2012
Alfred was one of those people I always got a laugh or smile from being around. I am glad that Jon and I had the opportunity to work for you and him last spring, Margaret. We enjoyed doing the work and visiting with you. We are thinking of you in your time of loss.
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Don Bleakley
Family and Friends - 11/25/2012
I went to school With Alfred At Central College In McPherson Ks. He was a fun Guy to be around and a Good Christion.
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Mrs. JERRY McGILLICUDDY
Family and Friends - 11/25/2012
SO SORRY TO READ OF AL'S PASSING. HE WAS SUCH A FUN PERSON TO RUN INTO-ALSO ASKED ABOUT MY KIDS.
HE WAS SUCH A GOOD INFLUENECE ON THE KIDS-JERRY AND I ALWAYS FELT WE WERE LUCKY TO HAVE HIM AS A TEACHER FOR OUR CHILDREN
SINCERELY
BABE McGILLICUDDY
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Marcia Burden
Family and Friends - 11/25/2012
So sorry to hear of Mr. Lowe's passing. I have many fond memories of him while working with him @WHS. He had such a great sense of humor and always had great stories to tell. He was a kind and generous man and will be truly missed.
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Melinda K. Alexander
Family and Friends - 11/25/2012
Mr. Lowe was a great teacher as I learned a lot from his teachings. May the Lord Bless the family to comfort them.
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Rod Cook
Family and Friends - 11/25/2012
Schoolmates lament with warmhearted memories of years gone by.
A friend gone.
Now, peace.
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Vickie Vargas-Jacobs
Family and Friends - 11/25/2012
Margaret, so very sorry to hear this news. Please let me know if you need anything.
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Jerald Lovejoy former teammate and classmate
Family and Friends - 11/25/2012
To the Lowe family,
I had the privilege of knowing and playing football with Al at Southwestern College in 1959-60 and counted him as a special teammate. I was a defensive tackle and Al backed me at linebacker on our 1959 team which went 8 wins and 1 loss on the season. I remember his comical spirit and it was always fun to be around Al and enjoy his friendship. I'm sorry that I never got to see him at our reunions at Southwestern but others kept me informed of Al and his whereabouts. He will always be a special friend and teammate and I will miss him. We were all very lucky to know a man of his quality and stature. My sympathies go out to his family and loved ones. Jerald
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DON WYKES
Family and Friends - 11/26/2012
IT'S VERY HARD TO EXPRESS HOW SAD I WAS TO HEAR OF ALFREDS PASSING. OUR HEARTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO ALL OF HIS FAMILY. I REMEMBER HIM AS ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS GROWING UP IN CALDWELL IN THE BEST OF ALL TIMES. AS A KID I SPENT MANY OVERNIGHTS AT HIS HOUSE .
ALFRED AND I WERE PRIVILEGED TO BE AMOUNG THE VERY FEW THAT PLAYED ON THE FOOT BALL TEAM THAT NEVER LOST A GAME IN JUNIOR HIGH THRU HIGHSCHOOL.
EVEN THOUGH WE KIND OF LOST TOUCH AFTER HIGH SCHOOL, I HAVE OFTEN THOUGHT BACK THRU THE YEARS OF ALFRED AND THE MANY GREAT TIMES WE HAD.
OLD FRIENDS ARE TRULY NEVER FORGOTTEN. BECAUSE MEMORIES ARE FOREVER.
DON AND ANN WYKES
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Jerry and Marilyn Houlden
Family and Friends - 12/13/2012
We were visiting our kids in Florida when we learned of Alfred's passing. Since we have been home I have visited this website several times with intentions to leave a message for Al's family I missed seeing since I could not attend the services. This past summer I found a picture among those from my parents. It is of Margaret, Alfred, Thelma and Clifford Johnson, and my brother Roger and I. It was taken about 1941 on my folk's place. Al, Cliff, and I graduated from CHS in 1957. My mother, Pearl Hess Lungren, and Grace Cadwaladar Lowe were good friends through the years.
It is good to read the notes below. Al was a special person. He will be missed. We pray that good memories will help comfort, as well as the knowledge that he is no longer suffering. Maggie, you are especially in our prayers. May God be with each of you.
Sincerely, Marilyn and Jerry
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Catherine Cronn
Family and Friends - 12/14/2012
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Alfred. He was vice-principal at Wellington High School when I taught there. He had a great sense of humor and was lots of fun to work with. Prayers for his family.
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