Lowell E. Beecher, age 62, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 24, 2018, at U.C. Davis Medical Center. He was born October 16, 1955, in Tulare, to Roy and Mary Jane (Garber) Beecher.
Lowell graduated from Tulare Western High School in 1973 at the age of 17. After his parents signed their permission, Lowell immediately went to boot camp with the U.S. Navy in San Diego. He served aboard the USS Oklahoma City in support of the U.S. forces fighting in Vietnam. After serving six years in the Navy, Lowell came home to work as a motorcycle mechanic. He worked for several Tulare County companies such as Keener’s Motorsport, Sanders Motorsport, Visalia Harley-Davidson, and Visalia Custom Chrome. He also worked for Gary Bang at Atascadero Harley-Davidson. Lowell was the first Certified Harley-Davidson mechanic in Tulare County. His second career was as a truck driver through the lower 48 states, where he had the interesting experience and responsibility of, among other things, hauling S.C.U.D. missiles for the U.S. Military. His most recent work was with J.D. Heiskell and Company where he enjoyed hauling feed and commodities locally, with the ability to be at home with his wife after a long day.
Lowell met the love of his life, Phylis (Leal), and they were married March 11, 2000. Together they enjoyed many years of love, family, friendships, and riding together on Lowell’s Harley Davidson. Lowell supported Phylis’ charitable work in the Tulare Elks Lodge #1424, where they invested themselves in great friendships. Lowell was a friend to all and will be terribly missed by his family and friends.
Lowell is survived by his wife of 19 years, Phylis Beecher; two daughters, Gail (Beecher) Jones of El Mirage, AZ, and Misty (Beecher) Vasquez and Dino Brewer (fiancé) of Wasilla, AK; sister, Peggy (Beecher) Pryor of Visalia; brother and sister-in-law, Leroy and Carolyn (Dutto) Beecher; mother-in-law, Helen Leal; brother and sister-in-law, Steven and Joy (Moore) Leal, Sr., six grandchildren, Grasye and Bowdy Gray (Gail’s kids), Daymian and De Angelo Vasquez and Visia Brewer (Misty’s kids); godson, Joshua Leal and numerous extended family and friends.
A Graveside service will be held on Friday, June 8, 2018 at 10:00AM at Bakersfield National Cemetery, 30338 E Bear Mountain Blvd., Arvin, CA, followed by a Celebration of Life at 1:00PM at the Tulare Elks Lodge, 1535 Bardsley Avenue.
Following the service in Tulare, all are welcome to enjoy Lowell’s favorite taco truck, followed by dessert (save room if you can).
