Thomas “Lowell” Landrum, Sr. (88) was granted his angel wings on the morning of May 30, 2024, with family at his side. He was born on July 24, 1935, in Childress, TX to the late Alton and Ura (Campbell) Landrum, the oldest of five children. He was a graduate of Childress High School and went on to graduate in 1958 from Texas A&M University. (Gig Em Aggies!) In January of 1959, he married the love of his life, Margaret (Peg) Leslie. She preceded him in death in July of 2023. This past January would have been their 65th wedding anniversary and they adored each other to the end.
Lowell was one of the kindest, most warm-hearted people that one could meet. He taught us all so much about unconditional love and compassion. He was a loving father to 5 children, an involved grandfather of 8 and a proud great grandfather of 4.
Lowell and Peg started their family in Amarillo, TX where he worked for Pantex, a company that manufactured nuclear warheads. Part of his job was writing the manual for dismantling the warheads. They moved to Lafayette, Indiana in 1966 when he took a job with National Homes. When that company folded (only three months after they had moved), he went to work at Purdue University in their Continuing Education department conducting management seminars. It was here that he was given the nickname of “Tex”. He is still known today to many by that name. While working at Purdue, he earned his master’s degree and PHD. When Purdue closed their department, Lowell and Peg opened a children’s resale shop, The Merry Go Round. From there he went to work at Lewis Motor Sales driving cars from location to location. He was also involved with Peg as a sales leader for the nutrition company, Shaklee. He was a member for many years of Brown Street United Methodist Church where he made a wooden cross for the sanctuary. Later he became a member of Covenant Church where he served as deacon and he and Peg started a prison ministry. They helped men being released find jobs, housing and transportation.
Lowell was a Lafayette School Corporation School Board Member from the late 1970’s to the mid 1990’s. He also served as president of the school board. A special aspect that came from his serving was that he was able to personally hand each of his five children their high school diplomas at their graduation ceremonies. Not many people get to say that.
Lowell and Peg enjoyed traveling to celebrate milestone anniversaries. Trips to Australia, Hawaii and a ride on the Orient Express from Venice to Rome were some of their favorites. He also enjoyed traveling to bowl games with family, attending Purdue women’s basketball games and grandchildren’s sporting events. He had a passion for model trains and old cars. He proudly participated in The Senior Olympic Games, even competing in a State Meet. He was also proud of the awards and plaques he earned in his younger days from the National Rifle Association in shooting as a Master Marksman.
Our dad always said that he wanted to live to celebrate his 100th birthday. Well, Dad, you didn’t quite make that, but we are forever grateful for the time that we had, and we know that you’re finding Eternity to be a much better deal.
Lowell is survived by his three sisters, Linda Dunaway (Mesquite, TX); Carolyn Nauert (Springtown, TX); Jerita Wadley (San Angelo, TX); his children: daughter, Chris Landrum (Joy Stokes); daughter, Holly Landrum; son, Thomas Landrum, Jr. (Missy Urschel); son, Tim Landrum; son, James A. Landrum (Pam) and a former daughter in law with whom he remained close, Jianping Song. Grandchildren: James K. Landrum (Alyssa Higdon), Callie Miller (Zack), Teagan Landrum, Alex Landrum, Tyeson Landrum, Andrew Landrum, Jaydon Landrum and Georgia Kaufman (Zachary). And 4 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and his brother, Jimmy F. Landrum (Austin, TX).
Please join us for a Celebration of Life for Lowell Landrum on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at 11:00 am at Covenant Church, 211 Knox Dr, West Lafayette. Reception to follow.
Memorial contributions in Lowell’s name can be made to Covenant Church or an organization of your choice. The family would like to say a special thank you to all the nurses, nurse technicians and rehab technicians who were so kind and caring as they worked with our father in the past month.
Posted online on June 03, 2024
Published in Journal & Courier
