Jimmie V. Lowe

Master Gunnery Sergeant USMC (Ret.) Jimmie Vineyard Lowe went to be with the Lord on Monday, August 9, 2010.

Jim and his wife, Valerie Vitale Lowe, have raised Appaloosa horses on Vineyard Ranch for the past thirteen years.

Jim was born in Nederland, Texas, on March 7, 1939, and grew up in Childress, Texas, where he graduated from Childress High School in 1958. He was a very talented football player, playing both defense and offense, for the Childress Bobcats.

Jim attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, and participated in many area rodeos. He was a fearless bull-rider.

During this time, Jim joined the U.S. Marine Reserves and then went into active duty in 1961. He had five tours in Viet Nam and was awarded two Purple Hearts, the Navy Presidential Unit Citation and the Viet Nam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with one Bronze Palm, among many other citations for his 35-year service.Jim died from the complications of Agent Orange and combat injuries incurred during his service in Viet Nam.

Jim's parents were Jessie H. Lowe, of Lubbock, Texas, who died in 1969, and Theresa Scott, of Childress, Texas, who died in 1989.

He is survived by wife, Valerie; sons, Jimmy, Jr. and Jay; daughters, Pippa and Tiffany; step-daughters, Kathryn and Jennifer; grandsons, Aydan and Ethan; and sisters, Jeanelle and Joyce. All of his family and many friends are deeply mourning his loss, including his Appaloosas and dog, Lexi.

The funeral for Jim Lowe will be 1:00 p.m., Thursday, August 12, 2010, at the Mountain View Cemetery Veteran's Memorial area. A private interment will be in the Eagle Point National Cemetery, Eagle Point, Ore. Arrangements are being handled by Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home, Ashland, Oregon.