AL was the eldest of 21 grandchildren on Icie and L. C. Lowder. He was the cousin we all looked up to for many reasons... all good ones, too. He was truly brilliant. We all were measured academics-wise to AL. Few of us achieved the highest marks, like AL, but we knew we were being measured to the best.
AL shared a love of hunting with us as well. He and my Dad used to bird hunt from the day the season came in, until it closed. It was a joy to tag along on these trips. AL was a master at whistling Quail. He'd stand on a quiet spot and whistle, and the quail would answer. They found a lot of birds that way. I remember one morning when the three of us hunted only about 2 hours. We managed to bag 31 quail. The limit was only 10 per person, so you can bet AL wasn't responsible for the count. Good thing the game wardens weren't around that day.
We always loved to be around AL at family gatherings. You could always count of some nugget of wisdom to be passed along to the rest of us. I guess you could say he was the E. F. Hutton of the cousins.
During growing season you could always count on his bringing fresh vegetables and share them with us all. He was happy to share and very proud of what he raised on his farm.
Rest easy cousin. You lived a good and full life that you shared with us all. My guess is you've already got your eye on a little corner of heaven... out a ways by itself, but not too far. A place you can grow and share your wisdom and other gifts with those already there.