Lowell Epling Kuykendall

Lowell Epling Kuykendall passed away after a long illness at the age of 96 in Orange, California on Thursday, January 25, 2024. He was born in Drytown, California and spent the majority of his early life on a ranch in the Northern California Sierra foothills, east of Sacramento. Lowell had two older sisters and one younger brother. His early years were in the Great Depression, and with his Dad working 16 hours a day, he was largely responsible from an early age taking care of the 10 cows and 100 sheep his family had on the ranch.

World War II had recently ended, but when he turned 18 In December 1945, the military draft was still in place, and so he enlisted in the Air Force. In November 1946, Lowell was stationed at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, when his friend Dwayne Holsteen asked him if he would like to join his family in Iowa for Thanksgiving. Dwayne had a sister named Wanda, and this Thanksgiving weekend began an exchange of letters between Lowell and Wanda that eventually became a daily occurrence. Wanda was a dedicated Christian who attended Omaha Bible Institute. After Lowell’s enlistment in the Air Force ended in November 1948, Lowell immediately went to Omaha. After Wanda was sure of Lowell’s love for her and for her Lord, they became engaged in April 1949, and then married in August 1949. The new couple moved to Minneapolis where Lowell and Wanda attended Northwestern Bible College as well as working a number of different jobs to make ends meet – including Wanda working for Billy Graham’s organization.

Lowell graduated from Northwestern Bible College in 1953 – with the happy couple having their first child David during Lowell’s final exams in May! Lowell entered a training program with State Farm Insurance and was soon transferred to one of their offices in Pasadena. In 1955, Lowell was transferred to the new Santa Ana office, and the couple soon bought their first new house in Santa Ana in 1955. Their daughter Sharon was born in 1956.

Lowell was always a hard worker and had quite a varied career. Besides his early days as a rancher, he was also a truck driver, air traffic controller, auto mechanic, insurance claims adjuster, private investigator, DMV auditor, house painter, tax preparer, and bookkeeper. At the age of 77, he passed the state licensing exams to be a concrete and pool contractor. He was active in a number of businesses up until his most recent illness.

Lowell and Wanda were actively involved in church ministry and activities, with Lowell regularly teaching Sunday School and serving on various church elder, deacon, and trustee boards. Lowell and Wanda also had the gift of hospitality, and frequently asked others to come over to the house for food and fellowship.

After Wanda died suddenly of a stroke in 2014, Lowell felt so fortunate to find the second love of his life – Lois Hines of Garden Grove. The family of Lois opened their hearts and lives to Lowell, and he was thrilled about this new family in his life. Lowell and Lois were very happy together until Lois died suddenly in August 2024.

Lowell is survived by his two children David (and wife Pam) and Sharon, grandchildren Ryan (and wife Sherri), Aimee, and Matthew, and great grandchildren Liana, Kyla, and Weston. Lowell is also survived by the two children of Lois – Mike (and wife Laura) and Lynn (and husband Ray).