James Edgar Lowdermilk was born August 12, 1920, in Monongalia County, West Virgina, and passed from this earth on July 12, 2006, at home in Lucerne.
He is survived by his daughter, Donna (John) Christopher of Lucerne and grandsons Eli and Zac, currently serving with the United States Navy; son, James (Joyce) Lowdermilk and grandson Andrew of Morgantown, WV, and son John (Sheela) Lowdermilk and grandson Tyler of Colorado. He is also survived by former daughter-in-law Cynde Palmer Bussard; granddaughter, Cassie Palmer; and the light of his life this past half-year, great-granddaughter, Camrin Pivniska of Nice.
He was predeceased by his parents, Sadie and Olen Lowdermilk; brothers, Ronald and Alan; and sister, Eloise; and, as he always said, the most beautiful woman in the world, his wife Dortha.
Dad served in the Navy during World War II as a sonar man on a 4 stacker, the USS Clemson. He was credited with many “kills” of enemy submarines. He worked for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company from 1959 until 1991.
Dad also leaves behind many wonderful friends that he made since he decided to “come to California, sit in the sunshine and drink red wine”. He attended the Northlake Adult Day Program, Clearlake Adult Day Program, Galilee Lutheran Day Program and went to just about every dance they had at the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center, Sons of Italy and Lakeport Senior Center. Dad said he had been three-quarters of the way around the world but was never treated better than he was in Lake County.
Donations in Dad”s honor can be made to Hospice Services of Lake County, 1717 S. Main St., Lakeport, CA 95453; or Redwood Caregivers Resource Center, 141 Stony Circle, Suite 200, Santa Rosa, CA 95401.
Dad will go to his final resting place back where he started, Morgantown, WV. May this truly wonderful soul rest in peace.
Please sign the guestbook at www.record-bee.com, click on obituaries.
(Published in the Lake County Record-Bee on Saturday, July 22, 2006.)
