Howard B. Lowell Jr.

SFC Howard B. Lowell Jr., 89, of Columbus, GA passed away peacefully surrounded by family on September 22, 2025 at Piedmont Midtown Hospital.

A visitation will be held 5-7PM Thursday, September 25, 2025 at McMullen Funeral Home, 3874 Gentian Blvd, Columbus, GA 31907. The Graveside Service will be 11:00 AM EST, Friday, September 26, 2025 at Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery.

Howard B. Lowell Jr. was born March 10, 1936 in Medford, Massachusetts to Howard and Pauline (Oakes) Lowell. He was raised in Falmouth, MA and loved spending time at the sea shore of Cape Cod. After a brief stint working on the Massachusetts Marine Railway, he enlisted in the United States Army in 1954; a career that would take him around the world. His first deployment took him to Korea where he met the love of his life, Cha Kum Joon. They were married in 1956 in Seoul, Korea. Together they would be stationed at posts in the US, Germany, and the Panama Canal Zone. Along their journey, they proudly raised three sons—Robert, Lawrence and Michael. In 1965, Howard was called to serve in the war in Vietnam. He was seriously wounded the night of November 1, 1965 after taking enemy fire in the area now known as the Ia Drang Valley while trying to clear LZ X-Ray. Despite his injuries, Howard re-enlisted and did a second tour of Vietnam in 1967. He retired after 22 years of service earning the following awards and commendations: National Defense Service Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster), Expert Infantryman Badge, Good Conduct Medal (7th Award), Combat Infantryman Badge, Purple Heart, Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Bronze Stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, 4 Overseas Service Bars, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster), Presidential Unit Citation, and 7 Service Stripes. Howard was humble about his service often times just tipping his cap to those who stepped up to thank him. He would smile at you warmly with those soft blue eyes and you knew deep down he was a man of courage and conviction. He loved camping, woodworking, reading, soap operas and Survivor. He loved his wife and sons more than anything else in the world. 

He is survived by his wife Kum Joon Lowell, sons Robert “Bobby” (Esther) Lowell, Lawrence “Larry” (Nise) Lowell, and Michael (Katie) Lowell. Former daughter in law and close family friend, Brenda Lowell. Grandchildren: Brett (Katie) Lowell, Bryce (Brittany) Lowell, Lauren (Dan) Lowell/Sweeney, Whitney (John) Sikes, Cameron Lowell, Haley Lowell, Olivia Lowell, Brandy Lowell and Christian Marcelleta. Great Grand Children: Emma Lowell, Avery Sikes, Conner Sikes, Cole Sikes, and Lyra Lowell. 

Special thanks to the staff at the Oaks at Maple Ridge for their compassionate care during his time there.