Donald Ray Lowder of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died April 29, 2012, in the Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas, at the age of 54 years.

Ray Lowder was born on May 29, 1957, in Duncan, Oklahoma, to Bill G. and Pamela June (Dowlen) Lowder. He grew up in Duncan attending Duncan Public Schools and graduated in 1975. He furthered his education by attending Oklahoma State Tech in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Following his education he returned to Duncan and began working as a carpet installer and in the oilfields. He later moved to Lawton, Oklahoma, before moving to Arkansas where he owned and operated a siding company. He then moved to Blackwell and began working at Tyson Foods before working for L. A. Boilerworks in Blackwell. On July 23, 2003, he married Sharon Newland and they made Blackwell their home. He loved the outdoors, including hunting, fishing, backpacking and camping. He also enjoyed gardening and caring for his yard.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon Lowder of Blackwell; two sisters, Katie Lowder and husband Juan Rodriguez of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and Gloria Lowder of Spiro, Oklahoma; three step-sons; seven step-grandchildren; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 4th in the Roberts and Son Funeral Home Chapel in Blackwell with James W. Roberts officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery.

A memorial has been established in his honor with the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation for heart research in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.