Extracted from The Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ)
Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Lowrey Joe Ligon

Lowrey Joe Ligon, 89, of Globe, suffered a stroke in early February and died on February 17th in Cobre Valley Community Hospital. He was active and lucid until the time of this illness. In his final days, Lowrey remained aware of the family and friends who were present at his bedside and displayed tenacity, endurance, and grace--qualities that he had shown throughout his life.

Lowrey was born just outside of Globe in Copper Hill on August 23, 1916, to Guy Archie Ligon and Annie Leslie (Lowrey) Ligon. His parents had emigrated from Alabama in 1914. Lowrey said that he had once shown his young son, Marc, the spot in Copper Hill (now a ghost town) where he was born, only to be asked, ‘You were born under that bush?’

In 1930, his family moved to Globe. Lowrey's first 14 years and a number of childhood photos were the basis for a book that he wrote in 1993 on his memories of Copper Hill. After receiving B.A. and M.A. degrees in English from Arizona State Teachers College (now ASU), Lowrey returned to Globe where he worked for many years in the offices of the local copper mines.

On November 19, 1942, he and Alice Elizabeth Feighner were married in Phoenix. The marriage was in its 64th year when he died. Lowrey said that his proudest accomplishments were his marriage and the five children born of that marriage.

Many knew Lowrey as an outstanding bowler, someone who carried a league average close to 180 when he was 75 years old. He loved to fish and to garden, and also excelled in golf, horseshoes, and other sports that rewarded finesse. Over the years, he wrote many sports and biographical articles for the local newspaper. He regularly volunteered his time to the Food Bank, the Gila County Historical Museum, and the Chamber of Commerce. Lowrey was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Globe for many decades and had attended the First Christian Church in recent years.

Survivors include Lowrey's wife, Alice Elizabeth Ligon; his five children, Linda Ligon, of Phoenix; Marc Ligon and wife JoAnn, of Peoria; Mary Krank, of Globe; Lee Ligon and wife Mary, of Loveland, CO; and Todd Ligon and wife Elizabeth, of Phoenix. He is also survived by six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Pastors Carl Zimmerman, Dan Morton, and Barbie Morton will conduct the memorial service at the First Presbyterian Church in Globe on Saturday February 25th at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow at the First Christian Church. Cremation has taken place. Trinity Hospice and CVCH were both extremely kind and supportive during Lowrey's last days.

The family suggests that contributions be made to these organizations in lieu of flowers, Trinity Hospice and Cobre Valley Comm. Hospital Foundation.