Byron Lowrance

Byron Russell Lowrance, 89 of Central Lake passed away on October 30, 2018 at Butterworth Spectrum Hospital in Grand Rapids.

He was born April 2, 1929 in San Angelo, Texas to Richard Russell and Euna Lois (Hardee) Lowrance who have both preceded him in death.  He went to Lakeview Schools where he graduated high school.  He also graduated from San Angelo Jr College and the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Science Degree.

Byron joined the U.S. Army and went into officer’s training.  As a 2nd Lieutenant, he was immediately sent overseas to serve in the Medical Corp. in Korea.  He received the Bronze Star for valor and left the Army as a 1st Lieutenant.

When Byron came home, he married Malinda Ann Harwell on June 5, 1954.  He went back to the University of Texas and received his Master of Science degree in Chemistry and Math.  Richard Russell was born in Austin, TX.

The first job Byron held was in Baton Rouge, LA, with Ethyl Corporation.  Bruce Byron and Steven Scott were born in Baton Rouge.  Then his brother got him a job with Storz Corporation, a surgical instrument company as a sales representative with the territory of Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.  When Johnson and Johnson bought out Storz Instrument Company, three men John E Dull, Richard H Lowrance and Bryon together formed JEDMED Instrument Company based in St. Louis, Missouri.

Byron and his family lived in Birmingham, MI for 29 years.  After his retirement he and his wife found property in Central Lake where they built a home on a hill overlooking Intermediate Lake.  With the 120 acres, Byron was very happy to spend his time either mowing, snow plowing, or cutting wood.  Byron joined the Central Lake Lions and became an active member.  He volunteered endless hours and enjoyed the fellowship with his fellow Lions.  Byron was the secretary from 1997-2004 and president from 2006-2007.  He was Lion of the year twice and received the prestigious Melvin Jones Fellow Award.

He is survived by his wife Malinda, his children Rick (Debbie) Lowrance, Bruce Lowrance, Scott (Jean) Lowrance and his three grandchildren; Rachel Ann (Andrew) Hess, Timothy Lee (Audrey) Lowrance, and Peter David Lowrance.  He is also survived by both of his siblings; Richard Hardee Lowrance of Atlanta, GA, and Carol Lois Penney of New Haven, CT.

A funeral service with military honors will be held Monday, November 5, at 12 noon at the Central Lake Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until the time of the service.  The family will also receive friends Sunday, November 4 from 3 to 5 p.m. also at the funeral home.

Please sign his online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.