Thomas (Tom) Webster Lowrey, Jr.

Thomas Webster Lowrey passed away unexpectedly on March 26, 2026, at his home in Amarillo. He was born on March 5, 1954, in Odessa, Texas. He was the third child of Verna and Thomas Webster Lowrey, Sr. Upon graduating from Permian High School, he pursued his passion for flying and attended flight school at what was then called Texas State Technological Institute in Waco, now known as Texas State Technological College. Later he did further studies at UT Permian Basin in Odessa as well.

After graduation he did flight instruction in Odessa before joining Chaparral Airlines, a regional carrier out of Abilene. He then returned to Odessa to work for Eagle Air as the chief pilot. In 1978 he met and married his wife Jan of forty-eight years. Mesa Petroleum came calling in 1980, and the young couple moved to Amarillo for Tom to become a corporate pilot for Boone Pickens of Mesa Petroleum.

In 1985, Tom flew for United Airlines for one year before landing his forever dream job with Southwest Airlines where Herb Kelleher, airline entrepreneur, was at the helm. During his thirty-two years with Southwest Airlines, Tom served as a Check Airman for nine years and flew the captain’s seat for twenty-eight years. In addition, he participated in the Adopt a Pilot Program at Carver Elementary in AISD for many years during his career.

On January 1, 1994, Jan and Tom welcomed their pride and joy Thomas Webster Lowrey, III. Tom and son Thomas shared many good times on the ski slopes and the golf course and then in the air. Thomas became a pilot with the guidance and teaching of his father. Tom took great pride in his son graduating from Texas A&M in engineering, becoming a pilot, and then becoming a pilot for Southwest Airlines like his father.

After his retirement from Southwest, Tom formed an LLC and did contract flying for six years. He still had the passion for flying even though the government mandated commercial pilots retire at sixty-five. When he finally retired from the air, he took another “job.” Tom would say on his way to the Tascosa Golf Club, “Jan, I am headed to work” with a big grin on his face. Tom had a wealth of golf friends at Tascosa Golf Club and spent many, many happy rounds, no matter what his score, there with his golfing buddies and dear friends. Also, he and his wife Jan enjoyed traveling with friends and family.

On February 24, 2026, Jan and Tom became the proud grandparents of a grandson Wilder Mathews Lowrey born to son Thomas and his wife Laken, also a pilot. We expect Wilder to take to the skies shortly.

Tom was predeceased by his parents and sister Candy. He is survived and was dearly loved by his wife Jan, son Thomas, daughter-in-law Laken, grandson Wilder, and sister Cindy.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home at 2800 Paramount Boulevard at 4:00 PM on Thursday, April 2. There will be a time of sharing stories of Tom’s life followed by a reception in the courtyard of the funeral home. A graveside service and interment will be at Bethesda Cemetery in Garner, Texas at a later date. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers, Amarillo, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, any memorials should be made to the High Plains Food Bank at P.0. Box 31803, Amarillo, TX 79120-1803 or a charity of your choice.