James Lowder

James Lewis “Lew” Lowder was born April 6, 1941, in Albemarle, NC to Woodrow Wilson Lowder and Sadie Virginia Easley Lowder.

Lewis attended Central Elementary School and graduated from Albemarle Senior High School in 1959. He was a proud Eagle Scout. He attended Wingate College and graduated in 1961. He continued his education at North Carolina State University, graduating from the School of Textiles in 1966. He served in the North Carolina Army National Guard from 1966 to 1972. He also started his career with Celanese in 1966 and worked there until he retired in 1999. He was an avid woodworker who built everything from dollhouses for his granddaughters to furniture for his homes. He was a member of the Hornets Nest Region Antique Auto Club and the proud original owner of a 1967 Pontiac GTO. He loved the NC mountains and the home and community that he and wife JoAnne retired to and held many family vacations and gatherings.

Lewis was preceded in death by his parents and extended family Crendell Herrin and Judy Herrin.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, JoAnne Herrin Lowder; daughter, JoLynn Lowder Ensminger and husband Ronnie Ensminger of Charlotte, NC.; son, Jerry Lane Lowder, MD and wife Chiara Ghetti, MD of St. Louis, MO.; and six wonderful grandchildren that he adored and that all called him “Gramps”: Haleigh Ensminger, Braiden Ensminger, Kailyn Lowder, Ashley Lowder, Emily Lowder, and Emilio Lowder; brother-in-law Ronnie Herrin; sister-in-law Sue Herrin; sister-in-law Shirley Herrin and husband Terry Swanner; and many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 1:00pm- 1:45pm. Service will follow at 2:00pm at Hartsell Funeral Home Chapel in Midland, officiated by Chaplain Pete Overcash.

In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Lewis can be made to Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region 7845 Little Ave., Charlotte, NC 28226 www.hpccr.org .

Hartsell Funeral Home of Midland is serving the Lowder family.