James M. "Mike" Lowrey

James M. "Mike" Lowrey, 70, of Lake Jackson, Texas passed away unexpectedly at his house in New Braunfels on Sunday, August 31, 2014.


Mike was born June 24, 1944 in Sweetwater, Texas to Wallace Walker and Marguerite Harris Lowrey. Mike graduated from Lamar University in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in management. He would often share the story of one of his professors declaring he would never amount to anything, going on to suggest he should leave college altogether. Mike typically grinned and would say he was glad he didn't listen to that particular professor.


Mike's father was a pilot for Dow Chemical and brought his family to live in Lake Jackson in 1956. Mike married Leslie, his best friend and love of his life, on September 3, 1966. Shortly after graduating college in 1968, Mike went to work for Win-Way as a scaffold loader. Mike would later say "I came to work in 1968, fresh out of college. I've been there ever since. It's the only job I've ever had; I just worked through the ranks". He did and in 1983 he purchased the company, changed the name to Miken and served as President and Chief Executive Officer until he and his business partner, Kenneth McCown, sold it in 2008.


Mike has always been very active with the Brazosport community serving on many boards and committees such as Associated Builders and Contractors, United Way, BACH, Community Foundation of Brazoria County, Junior Achievement, the Mike and Leslie Lowrey Foundation and a Board member of the 100 Club of Brazoria County. He was an elected Commissioner for Port Freeport for eighteen years, serving two terms as Chairman. Mike served then Governor George Bush as an appointee to the Texas Worker's Compensation Insurance Facility and Texas Workers' Compensation Commission. Mike was a Board member of Texas Gulf Bancshares and Texas Gulf Bank for more than thirty eight years. In 2011 Mike was inducted into the Brazoria County Business Hall of Fame. That same year he and Leslie received the Philanthropist of the year award from the Community Foundation of Brazoria County and in 2012 received the Stephen F Austin Leadership Award. Recently, Mike and Leslie were honored for their contribution to the community for their generous gift to Brazosport Regional "Making a Difference Campaign" designed around providing our community with a first class Trauma Center


He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Leslie; daughter Jennifer Lowrey and spouse Steven; and three grandchildren he enjoyed spoiling, Michael, Claire and Wesley. He is also survived by his brother Wallace "Bill" Walker Lowrey, III of Roundrock, Texas; brother in-law Steve Walls and wife Judy of Jones Creek; nine Nieces and Nephews; and his beloved and adored cat Gemma. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother Arthur Harris Lowrey.


A hand written note found in Mike's desk said "We are who we are. We are all gifted for something…and we must identify and pursue this gift… so…start where you are…use what you have…do what you can…NOW!" Mike is best described as kind, generous, calm, gentle and in his daughter's words, a HERO.


In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made to the Mike and Leslie Lowrey Foundation designated for Health and Human Services in Brazoria County or to a charity of your choice.


Visitation and a Rosary is scheduled for Thursday September 4, 2014 from 6-8 at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Lake Jackson. A funeral service will be at St. Michael's Catholic Church on Friday September 5, 2014, at 10:30 with lunch in the church hall immediately following the service.

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