Clarence "Red" Lowery, Jr., age 88, of Benton passed away at 11:10 a.m. Friday, January 16, 2015 at the Helia Healthcare Center in Benton. Mr. Lowery was born January 18, 1926, in Benton, the son of Clarence Lowery, Sr. and Bess (Sharp) Biggs. He married the former Kathleen Collins on May 20, 1953 and she survives. Mr. Lowery attended Benton High School where he was the President of the Class of 1944 and fullback on the Benton Ranger Football Team, where he was all-state. He would then serve his country in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he would be involved in the Battle of Luzon in the Philippine Islands and on May 11, 1945 sustained injuries in battle and would be awarded a Purple Heart. After returning home from the military and healing from his injuries, he would attend Erskine College, where he played football and basketball. He remained a proud alumnus of Erskine for the rest of his life and was inducted into the Erskine College Hall of Fame in 1982 for outstanding performance in football and basketball. Mr. Lowery worked as a teacher and coach before joining the Mobil Oil Company as a regional salesman, receiving several national awards for excellence over his career before retiring. He was an active member of the Benton community, serving on the Benton High School board for more than a decade, the Benton City Council, and candidate for state representative in 1970. He was also a member of the Benton V.F.W. Post #2671, Benton American Legion Post #280, and Benton Masonic Lodge #64 A.F. and A.M. Mr. Lowery dearly loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them and will be remembered as a wonderful father, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather. He also enjoyed keeping up with current events and traveling, having visited countries all over the world and making frequent trips to Las Vegas. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Kathleen Lowery of Benton; four children: Lynn Alligood and husband Bob of Jacksonville, FL; Cindy Lowery of Jacksonville Beach, FL; Clarence Clyde "C.C." Lowery and wife Heidi of Saint Marys, GA; Rob Lowery and wife Lisa of Benton; grandchildren: Kathleen Wubker and husband Brian of Virginia Beach, VA; Olivia Lowery of Sister Bay, WI; Christopher Lowery of Benton; Clarence Wade Lowery of Jacksonville, FL; Ryan Lowery of Benton; Mackenzie Lowery of Saint Marys, GA; great-grandchildren: Lillian Kathleen Warpinski, Sophia Wubker, Bennett Wubker,; uncle Clarence Lowery of Independence, KY, and nephew Bill Lowery of Benton; and several other nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Max Lowery, and sister Helen Franko. Graveside services with military rites by the Benton American Legion Post#280, V.F.W. Post #2671 and the National Guard Honors Team will be at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, January 18, 2015 at the Knob Prairie Cemetery near Akin with Rev. Alan Newman officiating. After the service friends may greet the family at 416 East Webster Street in Benton. Memorial contributions may be made "In Memory of Clarence "Red" Lowery to the Alzheimer's Association and will be accepted at the Leffler - Poulson Funeral Home of Benton. To leave online condolences or to share stories about Clarence "Red" Lowery, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com