Joe Don Lowrance

Joe Don Lowrance, known to many as "Papa Joe," passed away peacefully on Monday, January 23, 2017 at the age of 75. A Celebration of Life for Joe will be held at First United Methodist Church of Duncanville in the chapel (203 W. Daniel St. Duncanville, TX 75116) on Saturday, January 28, at 3:00 PM. A brief Reception will follow in the Chapel Parlor. The family strongly encourages that donations be made, in lieu of flowers, to www.Lifeschools.net. Joe was a native Oklahoman, born on September 27, 1941 to W.B. and Alice Bailey Lowrance, He was raised in Sulphur, OK and was very active in high school organizations, such as FFA. He graduated from East Central University in Ada, OK. with his Bachelor's Degree in English and Business Administration and also served in the US Army for 2 years. He taught High School English and was a Champion Calf Roper with the American Professional Rodeo Association until he hung up his hat at the age of 41. Afterwards, he continued to work with troubled youth through various programs and places and eventually went back to being a substitute teacher. Joe's true career and passion was being a parent. He was deeply devoted to his family and thoroughly enjoyed being a husband, father and grandfather to his brood. He was extremely dependable and very charming, making friends wherever he went and dispensing his wisdom to all who knew him. He spent his latter years being an advocate for his grandson and an avid parent volunteer at Bilhartz Elementary, where he won Volunteer of the Year in 2011 and 2012 and at Lifeschool where his grandchildren currently attend. He was our rock, our love, and our hearts and lives will never be the same without him. Joe was preceded in death by his parents: W.B. and Alice Lowrance; sister, Pat Taylor and brother-in-law, Joe Taylor. Those left to treasure his memory are: his beloved wife, Debbie Lowrance; daughters: Alissa Jo Lowrance-Bellot and husband, Albert "Pan-Man" Bellot and Amanda Vanston; brothers: Kenny and Wayne Lowrance; grandchildren: Blake Vanston-Pass, Elizabeth Vanston-Pass, Taylor Lowrance-Bellot, Alice Lowrance-Bellot and Owen Lowrance-Bellot and many other dear family and friends