Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

June 4, 2023

CHARLOTTE – Lowell Robert Nelson, 69, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 4, 2023, due to complications of pulmonary hypertension.  He was a kind man, with a love of history, music, movies, NC State, and most of all his family.

Lowell grew up in Hudson, NC, the older of two children.  He was born on the summer solstice, June 21, 1953, to Wilda Gay Drum and Robert Joe Nelson.  Lowell appreciated how his hard-working parents encouraged his love of learning, music, the church, and the pursuit of a college education.  He loved history and could tell a good story!

Lowell was salutatorian at Hudson High School and played clarinet in the marching band (as did his mother and sister).  He went on to play clarinet in the NC State marching band, and as a result attended every home and away NC State football game!  The first in his family to go to college, he went to NC State sight unseen, and enjoyed being in a freshman suite full of “Hudson boys”.  Lowell had an agile and curious mind, able to excel in his career as an engineer at Duke Power.  He loved the single life in Charlotte and had a great cadre of friends with whom he went to the beach, on ski trips, nightclubbing, and sailing on his catamaran.

Fate intervened in 1988 when Janet Preyer moved next door to Lowell on Idlewood Circle.  Things were “not so idle” on Idlewood after that, as their friendship blossomed into love.  They were married on May 20, 1989, at Avondale Presbyterian Church, which was “Meck Dec Day” – much to the delight of Janet’s historian father!  Two wonderful sons, Robert Norris (1990) and James Lowell (1992) were born soon after.

Lowell and Janet later joined Myers Park Presbyterian, where they taught 3^rd grade Sunday School and were Cub scout leaders.  Lowell was very involved in Troop 55, volunteering at Scout camp and teaching merit badge classes.  He was very proud to be the father of his two Eagle scout sons.  Lowell and Janet volunteered many years at Loaves and Fishes food pantry with a team from MPPC.  For relaxation, he monopolized the newspaper as he worked crossword puzzles, the jumble, and the suduko.  In the evenings he amazed and annoyed his family by guessing the Jeopardy answers on TV before anyone else!

As Janet was a Queens University of Charlotte alumna, Lowell “adopted” Queens too and enjoyed theater trips to NYC with Dr. Charles and Jane Hadley over the years.  He and Charles bonded over their love of old movies and theater (and gossip!).  Lowell also traveled with Queens on several European trips, most memorably a family trip to the Galapagos Islands in 2017.  A highlight was swimming with tropical penguins!  Lowell served on the Board of Visitors of Queens and enjoyed many cultural events at the University.  But at heart Lowell was a rabid NC State fan and took the family to many fun Bowl games.

Lowell cherished his Sunday morning golf with the “Chili Dippers” at the Roaring Gap Club in the NC mountains.  He had the best nickname ever, thanks to John Sensenbrenner – “how Lowell can you go?”  Many a happy day was spent in the company of these great friends, sometimes even winning a few dollars from the pot!

A devoted father, husband, uncle and grandfather, Lowell is survived by his wife Janet; his two sons, James Nelson and Robert Nelson and his wife, Taylor, and grandson Hayes, all of Charlotte.  Lowell loved being a grandfather, and Hayes brought him much joy.  He is also survived by his sister, Teresa Hickam of Lenoir, NC; nephew, Quentin Hickam and his partner, Jerry Reed of Pineville, NC; brother-in law, Norris Preyer and his wife, Lucy of Davidson, NC, as well as wonderful cousins whom he enjoyed entertaining in the mountains and in Charlotte.  He was predeceased by his brother-in law, Fred Hickam; his parents, and in-laws, Norris and Kathryn Preyer, with whom he was very close and helpful!

The family appreciates the kind and compassionate care Lowell received at Aldersgate and Asbury Health and Rehabilitation Center during his illness.  They are especially indebted to Rene and the team from Via Health Partners in his final months.

A graveside service will be held at 11:30 AM on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at Green Hill Cemetery in Greensboro, NC.  The family will receive friends at a luncheon following the service. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered in memory of Lowell to BSA Troop 55 or Myers Park Presbyterian Church, both at 2501 Oxford Pl., Charlotte, NC 28207 or Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, PO Box 680791, Charlotte, NC, 28216, or a charity of the donor’s choice. 

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral and Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC. 28204: (704) 641-7606.  Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.