Charles "Charlie" Emory Lowery, age 98, of Stillwater, died Monday, March 4, 2024. Funeral services will begin at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at the Stillwater First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Cemetery. Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements.

Charlie was born to Edgar Homer and Jessie Bertie (Holder) Lowery on May 30, 1925 in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. He graduated from Sallisaw High School in 1942. While attending high school, he lettered in vocal and band. In August of 1945 he received a draft letter for the United States Army. He served the majority of his time in Hawaii.

He returned home to Sallisaw in 1947. In 1949 Charlie married his soulmate, Dorothy Mae Acker, who preceded him in death in 2008. The couple moved to Stillwater and Charlie began working as a darkroom technician at a photographic supply house. Then in 1955, he changed his career path and began working for Bates Brothers clothing store. When the campus store opened in 1966, he was the pro mover and managed this store until 1977. Charlie received an offer from Cole Haan to work as a sales representative traveling to high end department stores and to trunk shows to show off the upcoming seasonal line of footwear. Some of the states were Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Arkansas, and Mississippi. During all of his travels he made a lot of memories and lifelong friends. He retired from this position in 1991.

Charlie was a kind, humble, and a person of sterling character. Charlie enjoyed traveling and reading, especially Westerns. He also enjoyed jazz, the Special Olympics, and was a catalyst in starting the Faith Class of Stillwater First United Methodist Church. He was an assistant scout master, member of the Stillwater Rotary Club, President of Stillwater American Business Club, and a member of the Stillwater First United Methodist Church for 65 years. Even after retirement, Charlie continued to be an active member of his community by volunteering for countless charitable organizations.

Charlie is preceded in death by his parents, wife Dorothy, and brother Holder.

He is survived by his son John Charles Lowery.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Faith Class, c/o Stillwater First United Methodist Church, 400 W. 7th Ave., Stillwater, Oklahoma 74074 or to the Stillwater Adult Basic Education (ABE), 316 S. Stallard St., Stillwater, Oklahoma 74074.