STANLEY JAMES LOWLEY

Stanley James Lowley was born on April 1, 1951 to Irene and Ray Lowley Sr (one of seven siblings) at the home of the family outside of Tekoa, WA; he entered into eternal rest on September 3, 2024 in Spokane, WA.

Stan was born breech and when he was little, his big brother Joe used to tease him about being born from an oven – you see, being born at home and breech made it necessary to keep him healthy and warm in that early spring so his mom would place her young son on the door of the oven to make sure he kept warm in those early days of his life.

Eventually the family moved from their home near Tekoa to the land in Tensed that Stan resided for most of his days with us.  He and his siblings ran the woods and creeks with their friends that would sometimes be called “The Hangman Creeksters.”  Sometimes they would have to run from YaYa’s notoriously mean geese.  His siblings remember a time when Stan walked straight up to Goosey, who was always looking for a fight, and grabbed him by the neck and swung him around to show it who was boss.

Stan attended the boarding school for two years and then the DeSmet school until he moved to Plummer High School where he graduated in 1970.  While in school Stan enjoyed playing football and basketball – lettering in both sports.

He found his calling after school in construction and heavy equipment operating, he worked in the Tri-Cities for a while where he attempted marriage for the first time but came out single by the time he made his way back to the reservation.  He continued in the field of construction and was known by some of his colleagues as one of the best heavy equipment operators around.  He also spent time in the Tribe’s TERO department, Hardware Store and Service Station – but he never really took to “desk work” he preferred being in the field and working with equipment so that he where he spent most of his working hours.

After living the single life and having good times, like Stan the Man was notorious for, he met and eventually married Tina (Anderson) Lowley.  They had over 20 years together – some good, some challenging, but she was the love of his life – they would eventually marry and every year they spent together is marked on the wall of the home they would sometimes share – 26 marks for 26 years of togetherness.  They were together until Tina passed away.

Stan was a social man always looking for a good time – he and his friends would often find themselves in precarious situations sometimes by accident like stumbling upon dynamite while walking through the woods at night; other times by their own devices like being chased by the cops – even in those situations Stan was always confident – telling everyone else “just be cool, let me do the talking.”

He loved his family and would spend time with them– especially his mom Irene, they visited together often until she passed six years ago.  He was also close to his nephew Michael – even if nobody else got to see him when he came to visit, Uncle Stan’s was always a stop he would be sure to make.  In the last few years Stan adopted a new best friend, a small dog he called Rocket who would go with him almost everywhere and who is missing his dad these last few days but will find a new home with Michael.

Stan was proceeded in death by his dad Ray Sr. when he was young, his mother Irene, his brother Joe, sister Connie and sister Rae Ann; he is survived by his sister Kae Mae, Sister Lynn and brother Ray Jr. along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Uncle Stan was full of ups and downs, as we all are – for me I will always remember that regardless of the small amount of words he had, he always gave a smile and an “I love you” with a hug.  No matter the struggles, he rarely lost his humor, his fun-time nature or his decency towards others.  He was humble, often quiet and had a good heart inside of him.  He will be missed by us all.

Kramer Funeral Home, Palouse, WA is caring for the family. On line condolences may be left at www.kramercares.com

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