Harry Merriman Lowe Jr., 85yrs, of Pensacola, Florida, passed away on December 18th, 2022 of congestive heart failure after struggling for many years with Parkinson’s/Lewy Body disorder.
Harry was born on February 1st, 1937 to Harry M. Lowe Sr. and Alda Marie Schubert in Long Beach, California. After Harry graduated from St. Anthony’s high school in 1955 and became a Benedictine Brother, he then enlisted in the United States Navy where he began his language defense communication education beginning with Chinese and Vietnamese, later becoming a Language Leadership Instructor. He attended the Communications Training Center here in Pensacola and the Language Institute in Washington D.C. after which he became an air radio transmission translator during the Vietnam war. He completed deep sea survival school and other communications certifications and subsequently Chief Lowe was assigned to submarines for many years. At the completion of his 20year career in the U.S.N. he earned many distinguished awards including 5 Good Conduct Awards, a Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, Air Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Expeditionary Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Armed Forces Gallantry Cross, and a Purple Heart medal. His military career started him and his family on an exotic overseas journey beginning with The Philippines, Taiwan, and Hawaii after which he retired and continued his government service with the Department of Defense where he and his family traveled to the American Embassies in Kabul, Afghanistan, Bangkok, Thailand, Bombay, India, Beijing, China, and then back to where his travels began so many years ago, The Philippines.
In 1989 Harry and Gloria Jean retired from Civil service and moved to Pensacola, Florida, Jean’s hometown. They enjoyed being active at Little Flower Catholic church where Harry was active in the Knights of Columbus, the Fil-Am club and Gloria Jean was at his side active in the Sodality Ladies Group. Harry also was devoted to his Masonic Bothers at the Myrtle Grove Lodge. For a long time, Harry also enjoyed his CB radio group, the great communicator!
In 1964 Harry met Gloria Jean here in Pensacola, FL. and it was love at first sight, they were married 6 months later. He is survived by his wife Gloria Jean, son Patrick Ian Lowe, daughters Janet Sue Craven, Colleen Jean Baker and Charlotte Marie Lowe along with numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. His closest living relative, his beloved cousin Colleen Jones, who he always thought of as his sister since Harry was an only child.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel, Pensacola, Fl., with a Masonic tribute at 5:30pm. The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at Little Flower Catholic Church in Pensacola, FL. The funeral cortege will depart the church at 12:00 p.m. for Barrancas National Cemetery where interment will be with military honors.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BayviewFisher-PouChapel.com for the Lowe family.
