January 6, 1951 – January 10, 2023
Bedford lost a strong advocate for her and her people when, on Jan. 10, Tip Lowery, 72, of Bedford, passed away at his home, with family nearby. He had a short, but courageous, fight with leukemia and its complications.
He was born on Jan. 6, 1951, in Bloomington to Morrell Wellington Lowery and Mary Margaret (Burgess) Lowery. He graduated in 1969 from Bedford High School and in 1973 from Indiana University, where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity (Fiji), with his bachelor’s degree in psychology. Many of his Fiji brothers have been life-long friends.
After graduation, he was employed for a short time at Regal-Beloit in Mitchell. Tip eventually moved to General Motors in Bedford where he worked as a die maker and was active with United Auto Workers Local 440, attending a number of conferences at the Black Lake Conference Center in Michigan. He retired from GM in 2007. Tip and his former wife, Mary, cared for a number of foster children over the years of their marriage. He also helped other families, trying to always stay anonymous. In addition, he worked with the Boy Scouts, Santa’s Helpers, and many, many various organizations. Since the loss of the previous generation, he has been a major driving force for keeping the annual Burgess-Clouse reunion alive.
Tip was of the Christian faith. He mentored many others, including those who found themselves in the local jail. His family is extremely proud of the work he did, both for others and for himself. It seemed that anywhere he went,
from, at least, Indianapolis to Louisville, to simply around Bedford, he always ran into at least one friend. And they were always happy to see him and would talk and talk. It would be a staggeringly long list to mention those whose lives he touched, helped, encouraged, and stood up for. Tip would be the first to admit he was not a perfect man. But, in the long run, he was a caring and good man.
For the last 40+ years, Tip has been a great friend to the Bedford-North Lawrence athletic department, especially the Lady Stars. For many years he attended all events, home and away. Tip received a signed basketball, a signed volleyball, an honorary batting helmet, and a game ball from the softball team’s most recent regional championship, over the years for his support of the various teams. He was also a big fan of IU women’s basketball team. Other varied interests throughout the years included riding his Harley (until back problems stopped him), learning to play different musical instruments, playing/teaching Euchre, photography, and bowling.
Tip is survived by his daughter, Stephanie Estes, Bloomington, who served as his primary caregiver for the last month of his life, brother, Jason Lowery, Bedford, two nephews, Sky and Adam (Erin) Pemberton , both of Bedford, and great-nieces and great-nephews: Sabrina Roll, Camryn Sanders, Elijah Staggs, Dakota Pemberton, Arya Pemberton, Gabriel Pemberton, Elora Pemberton, and Olivia Pemberton. He is also survived by his beloved cousins and many, many good friends.
All will forever have a “Tip” shaped hole in their hearts.
The status of an older half-sister, Pamela, is unknown.
Predeceasing Tip were his parents, his father on May 11, 1961, and his mother on June 7, 2016. Also, his sister, Kathie Pemberton on June 4, 2011, and her son, Casey on Aug. 1, 2011, as well as an unnamed older sister who was stillborn on June 28, 1949. Additionally, his puppers Matthew, Fiji, Cisco, and Nikki have been waiting a long time for him at The Rainbow Bridge.
The family wishes to extend special thanks to those who took care of our father, brother, uncle, during his fight against leukemia. Thanks also to John Sherrill of Cresthaven who made it possible for Tip to plan his own services.
Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023, at Cresthaven Funeral Home, 3522 Dixie
Highway in Bedford, with the funeral service the next day, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, at 1 p.m. with additional visitation from 12 p.m. until the service. Clarence Brown and Brad and Tammy Burgess are scheduled to sing Tip to his eternal rest. Attendees will be invited to share their memories, as well. Pallbearers will be Lucas Pace, Roger Collier, Sky Pemberton, Holly Burgess, Adam Pemberton, and Stephanie Estes. Burial will follow in Clover Hill Cemetery in Harrodsburg, Indiana. Visitors are encouraged to wear their BNL/IU gear.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, an organization that Tip supported for many years. Envelopes are available at the funeral home or visit stjude.org/tribute.
