Franklin Lowell

When reflecting on the life of Franklin Lowell, it is clear to see that he was all about family, family, and more family. He was a no frills sort of man who achieved a great many things of which to be proud, yet he was a humble person whose greatest source of pride and joy was found in his family tree filled with numerous branches of loved ones. With a desire to touch the lives of those around him, Frank was actively involved in the community he loved, and was a well respected businessman as well. He was a car enthusiast who worked hard in order to be able to have the things he enjoyed. Frank will be deeply missed, but his timeless legacy will be proudly carried on by the family he adored.

Life during the 1920s was certainly exciting as innovation was changing the way we lived our daily lives. It was in 1925 that Calvin Coolidge became the first President of the United States to have his inaugural address broadcast over the airwaves and Sears Roebuck opened its first retail store in Chicago, Illinois. This same year was filled with great anticipation for a young couple from Flint, Michigan, as they were eagerly awaiting the arrival of their first child. Their wait was over just as the year began when their healthy baby boy was born on January 18th. Franklin G. was the oldest of six children born to his parents, Henry and Livina (Kessler) Lowell, and he was raised in the family home in Flint alongside his brothers, Donald, Rolland, and Marvin, and his sisters, Helen and Caroline. His father was a woodcarver while his mother was a busy homemaker. With limited resources, vacations were few and far between in the Lowell family, and most holidays found them celebrating together as a family. Every summer as a young boy, Frank looked forward to coming to his grandfather’s farm in Byron Center as he loved everything about being there. He not only worked on the farm, he also enjoyed hunting on the farm.

While growing up Frank experienced an upbringing that was a reflection of the times. Wednesdays could usually find him and his brother, Marvin, at the movies. As a young man Frank liked to take his sister out with him as she was very beautiful, which drew a lot of attention to her, and naturally spilled over to him as well. There was also the time that he was driving his parents‘ car when his attention was so focused on a young woman instead of the road in front of him that he drove the car into a semi trailer, shearing off the roof!

Life was forever changed for Frank when he met a young woman named Thelma through his sister. After dating for a time, the sweethearts were married in 1945. Being with family was always of the utmost importance to Frank. Together he and Thelma were thrilled to become parents to the children they treasured. Frank was stern, with a heartfelt desire to raise responsible children. He could also be a bit stubborn. Such as the time he was he was driving the family to Grandma's house for Christmas. He and Thelma were were bickering about the severity of the winter conditions. To prove it wasn’t slippery out, Frank got out of the car, only to promptly slip on the ice and fall right on his rear! Although they later divorced in 1968, Frank was forever grateful for the children they shared together.

Frank was a wood carving entrepreneur who was well-known for his carving skills. His business, Frank’s Carving, supported the suppliers and manufactures that developed Grand Rapids into Furniture City. For 40 years, it provided for his family as well as the families of his 35 employees.

New and exciting changes were in store for Frank when he met Trudy Bundy on a blind date, set up by their children. He quickly fell head over heels in love with the kind hearted beautiful woman from Kentucky. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together they were married on August 24, 1971. The blended family of 15 enjoyed spending time together, camping and fishing, in Michigan's great outdoors. Frank and Trudy enjoyed traveling together including a trip to Europe and all over the United States,, putting numerous miles on their two motorhomes.

There were several things that Frank enjoyed through the years. He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing, yet he was also known for his amazing green thumb and fantastic vegetable garden. Frank didn’t cook himself, but he loved things like steak, shrimp, and BBQ ribs. He liked a variety of music genres, but country music was his favorite. Frank was an avid reader who loved reading western novels as well as watching westerns on television. He also had quite an impressive book collection. As his friends and family can attest, Frank loved big cars with his Olds 88 and 98 being a couple of his favorites. He also had a Ford thunderbird that he loved. The “drive new every two” slogan that was popular for a time enabled him to satiate his love for cars as he followed the industry’s recommendation by buying a new car every two years for several years. Just as he did while he was growing up, Frank continued to love going to the movies as an adult. He was involved in his community including with the Ambucs.

With unending love for his wife and family, Franklin Lowell was an extraordinary man to know and love. He had a strong work ethic and was known for his fantastic wood carving skills. Frank will be dearly missed and forever remembered.

LOWELL Mr. Franklin G. Lowell age 88, of Grand Rapids passed away on November 9, 2013. Frank was the owner of Frank’s Carving and was well known for his excellent wood carving skills. Frank was preceded in death by his step daughter Brenda Burgen and his sister Helen Thomas. Frank is survived by his wife Trudy; his children Diane Barry, Cris Lowell, Ted Lowell, Cindy (Randy) Anes, Pam (Larry) McCune, Drema Stephens, Tonda Deboer, Denise Bright, Dariol Stephens, David (Cindy) Stephens, Timothy (Cathy) Stephens, Nils Bundy; son-in-law Chuck Burgen; 25 grandchildren; 43 great grandchildren; 14 great-great grandchildren; brothers Donald (Beverly) Lowell, Rolland (Dodie) Lowell, Marvin (Lyn) Lowell; sisters Caroline (Frank) Hambicki, brother-in-law Jack Thomas. Friends and relatives may meet with his family on November 11, 2013 at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. A service to celebrate his life will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday November, 12, 2013 at the funeral home. Interment in Rosedale Cemetery. Contributions in memory of Frank to Faith Hospice would be appreciated. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to read Frank’s lifestory, archive a memory, photo, or sign the guestbook online.