Robert Lee “COACH” Lowrance Passes

 

On December, 27, 2007, one of God’s warriors passed into heaven. “Coach” (Red) Lowrance as he was called by everyone, was born on August 24, 1913 in Garrison, Texas to George Lowrance and Jennie Oxsheer Lowrance.

He was descended from Texas pioneers who entered Nacogdoches County in 1802 and established the Naconiche Ranch.
 

Funeral Service are scheduled for 2:00 p.m  Tuesday at Hawkins High School Auditorium with visitation  from 4 to 7 Monday at Beaty Funeral Home, Hawkins, Tx. Burial will be in Hawkins Cemetery under direction of Beaty Funeral Home.
 

Robert graduated from Garrison High School where he played on the first football team at that school. After high school, he entered Stephen F. Austin State University with the help of his aunt, Lela Morgan, who was a graduate of the first class of the university. He played on the football team at SFA and was a member of the so-called, IRON MEN, who won the first conference championship at the university in 1935.
 

He later completed his master’s degree at East Texas State. He was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at SFA in 2004. The same year, he was inducted into the Texas High School Coaches’ Association Hall of Honor, a tribute that greatly humbled him. After graduating from college, he began his coaching career at Longview High School. The next year, the Lobos won the 1937 State Championship.
 

Through the years, he coached at Sabine, Ennis, Iraan, and finally Hawkins where he coached from 1948-1974. In 1976, the school renamed the football stadium Lowrance Field in his honor. His teams won numerous championships through the years in football, basketball, and track. After retirement, he loved spending time at his farm in Hawkins.
 

He loved to give fresh vegetables and fruit to his friends and neighbors, In 2003, Robert was honored by the community with a surprise 90th birthday party which was a smashing success. He was a loyal member of the First United Methodist Church of Hawkins. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Thomas and Oxsheer, sisters May Lowrance, Ann Lowrance, Iva Belle Lowrance, Joy Wright, Lou Engle and grandson, Andrew Walker. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Juanita Chamberlain Lowrance and children, Mary Ann Williams and husband, Troy of Richmond, Nancy Walker and husband, Fletcher of Simonton and Hawkins, and Robert Lowrance Jr., and wife Michelle of Orlando, Florida. Grandchildren are Kelle Williams Coleman, Kevin Williams, Keith Williams, Russell Walker, Maya Lowrance Evans, Keta Lowrance, Lela Lowrance Talley, and Mikala Lowrance. Great grandchildren are Erika Coleman, Gerald Coleman, Brett Coleman, Jorren Evans, Hadden Evans, Preston Talley, Josh Williams, and Zach Williams. Sisters surviving are Grace Pickens of Pleasanton and Sophie Hancock and husband, Jim of Lufkin. The Lowrance family would like to thank the many friends and community for their kindness during Robert’s illness. Also caretakers, Rosa Thomas and Goldie cannot be thanked enough. www.beatyfuneralhome.com