Pete Coy Lowder

     Pete Coy Lowder, son, brother, husband, father, uncle and friend was born on October 23, 1946 in San Diego, CA Naval Hospital. His mother, Carolyn, was on her way to Japan to join his father who was stationed there after WW2. Pete lived there for 3 years. Since labor was cheap, his parents hired a nanny who taught Pete Japanese. When they returned state side, he had to learn English. His mother and 2 sisters, Junie and Helen, lived in East Port, Maine with Carolyn’s family for 2 years while Coy was stationed on a naval ship. When Pete’s father retired the family moved to his hometown of Albermarle, NC. Pete lived there until his high school graduation in 1965. He was working in a cotton mill when the draft came calling and joined the navy to avoid the army. Pete served four years, including one in Viet Nam. After his discharge, he came to Omaha to visit his mother and sister Junie, who were living here at that time. He never left.

     In 1970 he was hired as a police officer for the Omaha Police Department after 23 years he retired. In 1989 he graduated from UNO with a criminal justice degree and aeronautics minor. Having to be busy after retirement he returned to UNO to get his real estate license. After a 2 year try, he decided he wasn’t quite the salesman he needed to be. In 1995 he was hired by the BNSF Railroad as a conductor and worked for 13 years. In 2008 he retired from railroading.

In 1973 Pete married the love of his life, Gloria Huls. I’m writing this so I get to set the narrative. Along came three sons, David, Joseph and Adam. Later in life two daughters-in-law, Jeanne and Mollie. Followed by three beautiful grandkids, Lucas, Edith and Marcus.

     Pete had lots of hobbies, expensive hobbies, when we first met, he had a speed boat and chopper bike. Later a pontoon boat, jet ski and a Harley Davidson dresser bike. Then with his aeronautics degree he had two different airplanes. As a family we flew all over the United States. A lot of trips to see Grandma Lowder in Florida. For years he was a member of the Shrine group called the “Flying Fez”. Their mission was to fly children to Shrine hospitals around the country. Pete flew kids and their parents to Minneapolis, MN, Chicago, IL and Corpus Christy, TX.

     Due to his health issues, he had to give up flying, planes were sold and we bought 7 acres outside Gretna, NE for Gloria to have horses. He liked to say the horses were too expensive until he was reminded of the costs of boats, bikes, jet skis and planes.

     Pete’s later years were filled with health issues, but he enjoyed his grandchildren with their endless energy and sitting in the sunroom watching nature. Pete’s last wish was to die at home with the love of his life by his side, and he did.

     Survived by wife Gloria; sons David (Jeanne), Joseph, and Adam (Mollie); grandchildren Lucas, Edith, and Marcus; sister Helen Lowder. Preceded in death by parents Coy and Katherine Lowder; sister Junie Friss.

Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at 10:00AM at St. Gerald Catholic Church 9602 Q St. Visitation Tuesday at 6:00PM, followed by a Prayer Service at 7:00PM at John A. Gentleman Mortuaries Pacific Street Chapel.