We attended the Association's 1984 reunion in Omaha, Nebraska.  It was a thrill to see John Boone again and to meet Helen his wife; also to meet all the men that ‘Lowder’ had talked about over the years. 

We continued to meet and visit with many of ‘Lowder's’ WW II friends. For example, we went to Oak Hill, Fl to visit with Mike and Jean Wargo, and O.B. and Margaret Hill visited with us in Orlando, and we went to Winter Haven to see Durrel and Arnice Head.

We also attended the dedication of the 508^th PIR  Memorial Monument at Camp Blanding, Fl, and met many other 508 WW II veterans during the ceremony.

 In December 1985, ‘Lowder’ had surgery and was diagnosed with Mesothelioma in the lining of his lungs -- with three months to live.  But God was good, he gave us ten months for which we were grateful.

‘Lowder’ never realized his full worth on this old earth. The first time he was able to go to church, he was so surprised that everyone greeted him so warmly. The ladies hugged him and he did enjoy that!

We had a lot of support from the many friends in our life. Fellows would come and take Cliff for a ride or later just sit with him so I could run err-ands or go out to lunch for a little break.”  

Clifton Lowder's daughter Claudia says:  “When Dad passed away my husband Bill said  ‘Your Dad should have been a politician -- I have never seen so many people at a viewing or funeral.’ 

Dad enjoyed life, laughing and playing a prank on someone. He was a lot like Archie Bunker -- always grumbling about changes and people but always one of the first to be there to help someone.

Much to Mom's chagrin - Daddy discovered golf and thoroughly enjoyed the game.  Some of the tales that came from the golf course are price- less and that would be a whole new chapter.

Daddy left me with his warped sense of humor -- we always seemed to laugh at the wrong time and wrong place.

But I don't think God gave anybody a better ‘straight’ person than Mom except maybe George Burn's ‘Gracie’! Mom was always ready to supply Daddy with new material.

Mom the quiet little hillbilly from North Carolina and Daddy the hell raiser from Charleston, South Carolina -- they were a delightful pair.

Daddy loved his family and many friends -- he didn't want to leave us but it was time to go to his heavenly home.