Lowell Melvin Highbargin

Lowell Melvin Highbargin, 71, El Dorado Springs, passed away on July 31, 2009. Lowell was born July 11, 1938, in McCune, KS, to Roy and Irene (McDowell) Highbargin.

Lowell was raised in Iola, KS, and following high school, entered the US Navy in 1954. He spent three years on the destroyers USS Isherwood and USS Boyd. After his service, Lowell met the love of his life, Charlotte (Sprigg), and they were married June 18, 1960. A son, Kris, was born in 1961 and a daughter, Katheryn, in 1964.

Lowell accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior in March 1967. In April 1968, Lowell and Charlotte moved to Alaska where they lived and worked for 25 years. Lowell did many jobs including: worked as a diesel mechanic, hauled drill rigs for the Trans Alaska pipeline and worked 17 years for Copper Valley Electric as mechanic and power production superintendent. In 1991, Lowell and Charlotte left Glennallen and moved to Wrangell Island, AK, where Lowell was general manager of the State of Alaska hydro-electric plant. He was blessed with leadership and management skills that inspired people to excel. Lowell had a large role in the growth of the Wrangell Bible Church. He was a leader there for several years.

They moved to Missouri in 1997 to help care for their aging mothers. From 1997 until his passing Lowell served the Lord in Union Hall Church where he was ordained a deacon. Lowell loved the fellow believers in the church family and was much loved in return. He was in poor health the past two years on kidney dialysis. Now we praise God knowing the Great Physician has healed him and he is in peace and safety with the Lord.

Lowell is survived by Charlotte, his wife of 49 years; his son, Kris Highbargin, and wife, Debbie; his daughter, Katheryn Unfried, and husband, Steven; one sister, Juanita Williams, and husband, Bobby; seven grandchildren – Rebecca Rausenberge, and husband, Tobias, Lowell Q. Highbargin, and wife, Megan, Samuel Highbargin, Daniel Unfreid, and wife, Laura, Nathaniel Unfreid, and wife, Elexie, Kristallyn Unfreid and Joel Unfreid; three great-grandchildren; and many friends and extended family members.

A special thank-you is given for all the support from friends and family who gave so selflessly during this time while Charlotte was overseas in Germany.

Services were held Aug. 7, in the Union Hall Baptist Church with Bro. Elbert Ford officiating. Music was provided by Ruth Brown and Debbie Roe. Interment followed in Oak Hill Cemetery in Butler, under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home, El Dorado Springs.

Pallbearers were - Steven Unfreid, Kris Highbargin, Lowell Q. Highbargin, Samuel Highbargin, Daniel Unfreid and Nathaniel Unfreid.