By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Ivan H. Lowe
Lowe
Ivan H. Lowe
Jul. 3, 1917 – Oct. 23, 2009
Ivan H. Lowe, a life-long Turlock resident and volunteer, passed away Oct. 23. Visitation will be held from noon to 7 p.m. today at Turlock Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at Turlock Memorial park, followed by a memorial service at First Presbyterian Church in Turlock.
Ivan was born on July 3, 191,7 in the house where he lived at the time of his death. As Emanuel hospital was not yet completed, a local doctor came to the house in order to deliver Ivan.
Ivan attended Washington grammar school. He had health problems while in first grade, so had to repeat that grade. While in grammar school he discovered his talent for art, and his love of art and music. He attempted music instruction, trying the clarinet, saxophone, and then the snare drum. When Ivan got to high school he played the drum in the orchestra and the first band at Turlock High School.
However, art was his first love, and his specialty. In school he used the silk-screen stencil process to make posters, handbills, and program covers.
After graduating, in 1936, he attended art school at Berkeley’s California School of arts and crafts. But times were tough for struggling artists. He then attended Business College in San Francisco. Jobs were scarce, only temporary jobs were available. He got a job at Best Foods Mayonnaise Company in San Francisco. He was able to use his knowledge of silk-screen process that he had learned in high school for making signs, price cards, and other things.
While in San Francisco, he played in a boy’s band. With the completion of the Golden Gate Bridge in 1938, a fantastic celebration was held and Ivan played the drum in the marching band in the parade all the way down Market Street.
Meanwhile, back at home, his dad needed help maintaining the dairy and the farm. So Ivan moved back to Turlock to help his dad. He also took a job driving a Turlock High School bus.   
Ivan became interested in radio, and got his amateur radio license, W6SKH, in 1939. He joined the Turlock Amateur Radio Club. When war was declared, all amateur operators were put on hold, no radio use was allowed by the government. After the war he resumed his hobby for the rest of his life. He was a member the Turlock Amateur Radio Club.   
Ivan’s draft number came up during the war years, and he received a notice to serve. However, his mother was very ill with cancer, so a deferment was granted. One month after she died, his number came up again, and off he went to war. Ivan went to the presidio in Monterey, and then went directly to Camp Roberts to be trained with special troops, artillery with a self-propelled heavy 155mm gun.
He was in the third army, under General Patton. His outfit landed at Utah Beach, Normandy 60 days after D-Day. With the breakthrough at St. Lo, France, Patton directed a 200-mile march the first night. Ivan drove a truck with blackout lights through the night. Eventually they got to Germany.
In the post war period Ivan was able to purchase a truck, trailer, a cement mixer and some welding equipment. He became a farm shop welder, serving the needs of farmers and dairymen for over 60 years.
Following his father’s footsteps, he continued his journey of faith, serving as a deacon, trustee, and elder at the Turlock Presbyterian Church. He was a faithful bass in the choir for over 60 years also. As a life-long member of the Presbyterian Church he was able to recall much of the church’s history.
Ivan married his first wife, Anna Margaret Grove in 1948. She was the church organist. They had three daughters, Melanie, Melinda, and Caroline. She passed away in the spring of 1983.
Ivan married his second wife, Marge. They traveled many places around the world during the summers when Marge was out of school. He especially enjoyed the visit to the Holy land, as it gave him a better concept of that place in biblical times.
Ivan served on the board of the Turlock Historical Society for many years.
He is survived by his wife, Marge; daughters Melanie Brooks, Melinda Martinez, Caroline Altamirano; stepdaughters Diane March, and Doris Burris, and 24 grandchildren.
Remembrances may be made to the music department of the First Presbyterian Church 2619 N. Berkeley Ave. Turlock, or the Turlock Historical Society, P.O. Box 18, Turlock, CA. 95381. Friends may share condolences at www.turlockmemorialpark.com.