Mary Lowe

From the Final Pen of Mary Lowe
To My Beloved Community,
I am pleased to inform you all that I have passed on to be with my husband Bill Lowe on
October 16, 2018. I passed peacefully surrounded by my loving family.

I was born to Ida and Walter Wheeless in Granite, Oklahoma on August 27, 1933. We had a large family (9 Siblings) for large work parties picking cotton. Work, Work, Work! I met my loving husband in 1949 in Erick, Oklahoma and was married on Thanksgiving Day at age 15. We traveled up the American heartlands working the wheat harvest for many years until Bill began his work in the construction industry on turnpikes and dams. We were blessed with the birth of our first son, William D. Jr. while on a Turnpike build in Dallas, Texas in 1956. In 1958, we moved our mobile home trailer and all our belongings to Grants Pass, Oregon to work for my brother, Dick Wheeless. We then opened up a brand new Texaco station on the new Hwy 199 across from Josephine County Fairgrounds in 1959. We added a tow truck service in 1962 and worked every day to build our business.

In 1962, Bill’s kid brother, Bob Lowe came to live with us; he graduated from GPHS and went on to have a distinguished career as a Navy Seabee. In 1963, we were blessed with the birth of our second son James Michael and then in 1964 we welcomed our daughter Victoria Ann into the family. We were also blessed throughout the years to help raise numerous other children, Bobby Graham, Willy Ford, Randy Harris, Becky (Rothkamm) Tappan, Johnathon Gray and many, many, many more. In 1974, we opened up the Fairgrounds Horse Hotel, where Three Rivers Community Hospital is currently, which everyone knows was my pride and joy! I enjoyed raising numerous animals, including my precious African Grey parrot “Fred”. We were blessed with four grandchildren Travis, Torelle, Lianna and Chad and five great-grandchildren Kaelynn, Hayden, Shayla, Hunter and Parker. Bill and I were happily married for 51 wonderful years until Bill’s passing in November of 2000.

Throughout the years we raised numerous other young adults through work programs and treated every one of them as extended family members. I was fortunate enough to be part of numerous service organizations like my cherished Redwood Lions, Elk’s Emblem Club, American Cancer Society Horse-a-Thon and numerous PTAs. Bill and I also enjoyed high school foreign exchange student programs with more than five different hosted students. My biggest joy was to help others and watch young adults become productive WORKING community members. I had numerous sayings around our home over the years, including “No Worky, No Eaty”, “It will only take 5 minutes”, “Weed one vegetable row and we are off to A&W”, “Who wants to go to Larry’s (aka Herbs La Casita)?” And “I’m Happy, Happy!”

A special thanks to the Grants Pass Clinic who has served me and my family for over 50+ years. I also wish to thank the staff at The Suites Assisted Living Facility for putting up with my antics for over 10 fun-filled years. Also Fairview Rehab facility for the several times they helped me recover from my falls. And finally, Grandma’s Care Adult Foster Facility that made my last year an enjoyable experience and Asante Hospice for making me comfortable in my final days.

The kids are having a memorial on my behalf Saturday, October 27th at 1:00 PM at the Boys and Girls Club. A chicken lunch (Sorry no Artic Circle Chicken) will be served after the service. I’m sorry I cannot attend in person as I’ve got choir practice in the sky. But I would love to hear your stories as I’ll be listening from above with a very big smile. In lieu of flowers please make contributions to the Redwood Lions Club or the Boys and Girls Club of Grants Pass Oregon.

Remember how much you are loved and don’t forget the COWBELL! Until we see each other again, take care Grants Pass!

Mary is survived by her children: William & Jolene Lowe, Victoria & Patrick Wiggins and James & Lana Lowe. Grandchildren: Travis & Margaret Lowe, Torelle & Andy Brooks, Lianna Lowe & Cory Ballentine and Chad & Kelsey Lowe. Great-grandchildren: Kaelynn, Hayden and Shayla Lowe and Hunter and Parker Brooks. Surviving siblings include her sister Argie Tackett and Patsy Osmer. She was preceded in death by her husband William D. Lowe Sr. and her siblings, V.D. Wheeless, B.H. Wheeless, Hallie Maloney, Allie Maloney and Afton (Dick) Wheeless.