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Obituary for Vernon LeRoy Lowery
On Tuesday, November 30, 2021, Vernon LeRoy Lowery II, beloved husband, father, and papa passed away at Littleton Adventist Hospital after a lengthy illness at the age of 74.
Vern was born December 8, 1946, in Denver, CO to Vernon and Bette Lowery. He attended Jefferson High School where he wrestled and continued on to Sterling Junior College on a wrestling scholarship. He then attended the University of Northern Colorado where he received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees.
After graduating from college, Vern married his former spouse, Anita Lowery, and they shared two sons, Lee and Michael. He was happily married to Shirley Lowery for over 38 years and they also shared her two children, Stacie and Chris.
After college Vern began working for the State of Colorado Rehabilitation Office. He then began a career with Midwest Business College (later known as Barnes Business College) where he served as President of the private college for many years. He retired in 1995 to enjoy his family. Vern never stopped admiring his grandchildren and cherished every minute with them. Family was what he lived for.
Vern had a passion for trains and building model railroad layouts. He completed an amazing display in 1999 featuring multiple model trains and designing everything from landscaping to buildings. He continued with his hobby until his passing. Although he never completed another layout since 2000, he always said, “I’ll have it done by Christmas.” We are still waiting! Vern loved his saltwater fish tanks, bowling, all his dogs, building an outdoor railroad around the swimming pool, and attending and visiting model train displays and train shows around the U.S.
He was a loving father and papa who always wanted to be with his family, frequently enjoying time with them at his favorite vacation spots – the beach at Wildwood, NJ, and Disney World. His favorite place was the beach and boardwalk in Wildwood. You could find him sitting on the beach for hours day after day watching the ocean waves and his kids and grandkids body surfing. Then it was off to the boardwalk for pizza! He also loved going to Las Vegas and traveling in his RV with family. Vern could tell some stories – some factual and some questionable – but always entertaining. You could often catch him watching movies with John Wayne and Elvis Presley - two of his favorites. Vern loved sports and going to Broncos and Colorado Rockies games, who were his favorite teams.
Vern was preceded in death by his father, Vernon, and his mother, Bette, Ethel (Little Granny), Uncle Joe, Aunt Freda, grandparents, and beloved Charlie, his Golden Retriever. He is survived by his wife, Shirley; children, Lee (April), Michael, Stacie (Brandon), and Chris (Rachael) and Kody, his Golden Retriever. Grandchildren Pamella (Papa’s Pooh Bear), Josh (Christina), Riley, Nevaeh, Ian, Lila, Giovanni, Charlotte and Mikalya and Anita Lowery, former wife. His brother, Kirk (Fran), sister-in-law Ardee (Don), and several nieces and nephews and extended family, Reiny (Joan) Brester, who he grew up with from a young age, and many other friends he loved spending time with.
A celebration of his life will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, December 7, at Ellis Family Services, 13436 West Arbor Place, Littleton, CO. The viewing will begin at 9:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies, www.goldenrescue.com, GRRR, 15350 W. 72nd Avenue, Arvada, CO 80007 or the Colorado Model Railroad Museum, www.cmrm.org, 680 10th Street, Greeley, CO 80631.
