James Alex James Alex “Bud” Lowrance, Jr. was born April 8, 1943, to Mabel and Bill Lowrance in Soper, Oklahoma. The only boy in a house full of sisters, Bud grew up alongside Dora, Tommy, and his little sister, Rebeccah.
Bud graduated from Soper High School in 1961 and Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 1965, later earning his master’s degree in Education Administration. But the most important thing that happened during those college years had nothing to do with a degree.
In January 1963, Bud met Helen Clark at a laundromat in Hugo, Oklahoma. A chance encounter while out with friends led to a phone number, then a date, and ultimately the love story of his life. They married August 24, 1963, at First Baptist Church in Hugo and spent more than 63 years side by side. Bud loved making Helen happy, whether it was sending her roses, buying everything on her list at Marie’s, or doing the little things for her to simply see her smile.
Bud devoted much of his life to education. He began teaching in Colbert before joining Durant High School in 1976. He became assistant principal in 1979 and later succeeded Bull Marsh as principal, serving until 1992 as he thought he would walk out the doors at the same time as his son after his graduation. However, after a year in the Durant administration office, Bud realized he missed what he loved most about education: the teachers and students. He returned to Colbert as superintendent, retiring in 1996.
Retirement didn’t stick.
Missing the classroom once again, Bud returned to teaching science in Whitewright, Texas, where he remained until retiring for a second time in 2010. Still not quite ready to sit still, he began another chapter with Heartland Realty, where he enjoyed drinking coffee and having lunch with friends while managing to sell a few houses on the side.
Bud was known to be fierce but fair. He held high expectations for himself, his children, and the thousands of students who knew him as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and leader. He expected people to do their best because he believed they were capable of it.
But for all Bud accomplished, nothing in his life was more important than his family. They were the center of his world. He loved them fiercely and completely, and there was nothing he would not do for any one of them. If his family needed him, Bud was there. His greatest titles were never the ones on an office door. They were husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Great-Grandpa.
Bud leaves behind his cherished wife and lifelong love, Helen Lowrance; his son, J. Scott Lowrance and wife Kelly; daughter, Traciand husband Russell; four grandchildren, Abi, Cade, Macy, and Redik; two great-grandchildren, Axel and Zeke; and his sister, Rebeccah.
He also leaves behind generations of students, educators, colleagues, and friends whose lives were touched by his more than four decades in education and service to his community.
A memorial service honoring Bud’s life will be held at First United Methodist Church in Durant on Tuesday, September 15, at 6:00 p.m.
Bud will remain close to his family for a while before eventually finding his final resting place in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, the destination of his final family vacation and one of his favorite places on Earth.
It is a fitting final stop for a man whose happiest place was wherever his family was.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Gordon Funeral Home, 221 N. Third Ave. in Durant.
580-916-9090