Source: http://www.hfrrf.org/HFRRF/uploadedFiles/Public/CAPTIAN%20GEORGE%20EARL%20LOWDERMILK.pdf

GEORGE EARL LOWDERMILK

George Earl Lowdermilk was born on August 20, 1923 in Mauldin, Arkansas and died on January 12, 2007 in Katy, Texas. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Nelda Ruth Lowdermilk; three children, Sheri Lynn, Alana Beth, and Kenneth Earl Lowdermilk; six grandchildren, Edward Westerman and wife, Amanda; Lisa Brosowske and husband, Scott; Jason Haugen and wife, Amy; Nicholas, Skylan and Kendall Lowdermilk; and by four great-grandchildren, George and Griffin Brosowske, and Jake and Lily Westerman. He is also survived by a brother, Sam Lowdermilk and many nieces and nephews and their families, as well as his many friends and colleagues with the Houston Fire Department, the Houston Firefighters' Relief and Retirement Fund, the Houston Texas Fire Fighters Federal Credit Union, and the Houston Texas Professional Firefighters Association Local 341 whom he considered part of his family.

George Lowdermilk began his firefighting career right after high school, serving as a firefighter at a U.S. Army Camp in Livingston, Louisiana. Before the start of World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served for almost four years. At the end of the war, he returned to the U.S. Army Camp to again serve as the only paid civilian employee to serve as a firefighter at the Army Camp. On January 1, 1950, he moved to Houston, Texas where he continued his firefighting career by joining the Houston Fire Department.

George Lowdermilk began his career with the Houston Fire Department at Fire Station #5. He was soon promoted to Chauffer and transferred to Fire Station #4, where he was chosen by the District Chief to be his personal driver. This new role soon earned him the rank of Captain and a stint at old Fire Station #2. In a short time, he was promoted to Senior Captain.

In 1969, Captain George transferred to Fire Station #1 where he served until 1979, when he was selected to serve as the Family Assistant Officer in the Fire Suppression Division. In addition to his dedicated service to the Houston community, Captain George also took pride and pleasure in looking after the best interests of Houston firefighters and their families as he was actively involved in various firefighter-related organizations such as the Houston Firefighters' Relief and Retirement Fund, Houston Texas Fire Fighters Federal Credit Union, Dennis W. Holder Scholarship Fund, the Benevolent Fund, and the Houston Texas Professional Firefighters Association Local 341.

At the time he retired, Captain George served as Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the Houston Firefighters' Relief and Retirement Fund. During his tenure on the Board, the fund grew from approximately $4.4 million when he joined as a trustee in 1961 to over $1.9 billion with membership of over 5,600. "Mr. Pension", as he was fondly called by many Houston firefighters, built a solid reputation on dedication, honor, commitment, and trust, thus priding himself on consistently providing superior service to the Houston firefighters and their families. He had a strong work ethic that was at the heart of every decision and action he took. These traits served him well as he served as Chairman of the Pension Benefits Committee and served as a member of the following committees: Personnel and Procedures, Budget and Audit, Investment, and Legislative.

Captain George was also a member of the Ad-hoc Memorial Fund Committee of the Houston Firefighters' Relief and Retirement Fund, and as such, he was instrumental in the concept of having a beautiful Memorial constructed at the Pension Fund's complex. The Memorial has since been a favorite visiting spot of many proud Houston firefighters and their families.

Captain George served as Treasurer of the Dennis W. Holder Scholarship Fund, which was established to provide scholarships to children and grandchildren of City of Houston firefighters.

Joining the Houston Texas Fire Fighters Federal Credit Union in 1950, Captain George was a long standing Board member and served as Treasurer for over 19 years. Prior to that, he served on the following committees: Supervisory, CEO Evaluation, Election, Credit and Nominating.

Captain George also served on the Board of the Houston Firefighters Benevolent Association Incorporated for 26 years, most of that time as Treasurer. This association provided lump sum financial help to the families of deceased firefighters who were members.

Captain George was a 55 year member of the Houston Texas Professional Firefighters Association -- Local 341 and served on the Executive Board for several years, served as Recording Secretary for two terms, and was also chairman of several committees.

In addition to his duties on various boards, Captain George was a member of the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, as well as an active member of the National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems (NCPERS).

At the time of his retirement in January 2005, he was very appreciative of the many awards and honors he received throughout his career and upon retirement, which included the dedication of the Greer and Lowdermilk Conference Center, the Houston Fire Department Valor Award, The ``100 Club'' Houston Fire Department Lifetime Achievement Award, Director Emeritus -- HTFFFCU Board of Directors, Trustee Emeritus - Board of Trustees of the Houston Firefighters Relief and Retirement Fund, and two Mayoral Proclamations proclaiming August 20, 1993 and November 14, 2004 as Captain George E. Lowdermilk Day. He completed 55 years of dedicated service to the Houston Fire Department, and at the time of his retirement was the oldest active firefighter in the history of the Department. He leaves behind the ``Lowdermilk'' legacy of humility, honesty, integrity, endurance, and valor.

In addition to his outstanding achievements, which he attained through his professional endeavors, he was also a devoted and loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He enjoyed many activities during his lifetime such as baseball, skiing, traveling, and spending time with his friends and family. His positive attitude, dedication to family and friends, and commitment to helping others served as a beautiful example of a life well lived.

Captain George will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.