Horace Lowery

Horace Gibson “Gippy” Lowery, 77, of New Braunfels, Texas, succumbed to Alzheimer's, a neurodegenerative disease he fought bravely for an incredible 12 years, on February 23, 2021. Gippy passed peacefully at home, surrounded by family and in accordance with his wishes, though truth be told his wife and soulmate of 57 years, Nancy “Gayle” Adams, would not have it any other way — his survival beyond the most generous estimates of this debilitating disease is a testament of Gayle’s enduring love for him and a powerful example for their children and grandchildren to follow. A gifted storyteller who never met a stranger, Gippy will be remembered for his generous and gentle spirit; his ever-readiness to help those in need; and, perhaps most of all, for his mischievous and boyish smile, whooping, snortling laughter and a never ending love of life. While Gippy self-described with a twinkle in his eye as a simple man who “knew a little about everything and a whole lot about nothing”, his children were blessed with a devoted father with truly expansive talents and knowledge. David Lowery and Paula Bacon of Austin, Texas; Paige Lowery and Josh Rushing of Fairfax, Virginia; and Lindsey Lowery and Bradley Fretwell of New Braunfels, Texas, are forever grateful that he taught them to love family fiercely and unconditionally; work hard, but patiently; respect others, especially oldtimers; live honorably by our convictions; and drive like nobody’s watching — he got his first speeding ticket at 14, or so the legend goes. As a proud and hands-on grandfather of 9 who miraculously learned to change diapers expertly later in life much to Gayle’s bewilderment, Gippa — as Luke, Ethan, Madison, Spencer, Emery, Harper, Paisley “PK”, Gibson and Quinn knew and loved him — was pleased that his children weren’t messing things up too badly in the sharing of all they had learned from him. Seeing the next generation thrive brought him tremendous joy and peace. Gippy, who lived all over the great state of Texas — Zavalla, Evant, Crane, Lufkin, Spurger, Port Neches, Nederland, Corpus Christi, Vidor, Georgetown and New Braunfels — was born in his family home in Zavalla on August 29, 1943, to Willie A. Lowery and Jewel Gibson, the youngest of three and naturally everyone’s favorite. His mama would lay him on a blanket while she picked cotton nearby, most definitely cementing his lifelong love of basking in the sun on a beautiful day. As recorded in the Bible given to him by his parents, Gippy accepted Jesus as Savior on October 14, 1952 and would grow into a man of great faith. A close relationship with God guided Gippy throughout his life. He graduated from Nederland High and enlisted in the United States Navy in 1961. Gippy hit the lotto on October 12, 1963, when he married Gayle and honeymooned with her in Corpus Christi while finishing out his time in service. After an honorable discharge in 1964, he worked at Dupont, the origin of many of his best tales, until his retirement in 2002. It must be noted, however, that among his many career awards and highlights, few were more precious to “Coach Lowery” than a baseball signed by his and David’s 1978 Vidor Little League Championship team. Gippy made friends easily wherever he went as anyone who had the pleasure of talking to him for a minute can attest, from stockers at his local Home Depot to the Wild Bunch at UT’s Disch-Falk Baseball Field. His list of treasured friends is too voluminous to name but none have been forgotten. Gayle and their children and grandchildren will carry on Gippy’s legacy, as well as his brother-in-law, Joseph Louviere, and nephews and nieces — Steve “Bubba” Lowery and Kim Lowery, Sharon Lowery, Doneice Jordan, Sonya Kelly, Joey and Sheila Louviere, and Kim and Kyle Padgett. He is predeceased by his parents; Gayle’s mother Nettie Lee Hicks Adams; his brother Douglas Lowery and his wife Joyce; his sister Joye Lowery, her husband Billy Jack and son Donald; and Gayle’s sisters, Carolyn Oliver and her husband Marvin, and Georgia Louviere. Gippy and his family owe a debt of gratitude to those who compassionately cared for him as his health declined: Dr. Mark Burns and staff; Hope Hospice’s Ben, David, Jennifer and Phyllis; and Mary and Pat. Gippy's life will be celebrated at Oakwood Church in New Braunfels, Texas, on Monday, March 8, 2021, with a viewing at 10 a.m. and a service at 11 a.m. All Freemasons in good standing are invited to wear appropriate Masonic regalia. He will be buried with military honors at Fort Sam Houston on March 25, 2021, in San Antonio, Texas, in a family ceremony. Those unable to join may wish to raise a glass of Dr. Pepper, swing by Whataburger for a big and round, snack on Ritz Crackers and bananas (simultaneously) or enjoy a scoop of Bluebell ice cream in his memory. Donations may be made in Gippy’s honor to The Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s & Neurodegenerative Diseases, https://biggsinstitute.org/give/. That someone develops Alzheimer’s disease every 67 seconds is a tragedy further underscored by the dearth of treatment options to prevent, cure, or even significantly slow the disease process. Gippy wanted to be part of finding a cure for Alzheimer’s, a disease that also robbed his mother and both siblings of their lives too soon, and to honor this, his brain has been banked with The Biggs Institute in hopes it might provide answers — and insight into hundreds of research studies for the 50 million people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.