Marshall D. Lowe

“Life is important, but it’s not serious!”

M. (Marshall) David Lowe, founder of M. David Lowe Staffing and Booker-Lowe Gallery, died Monday, March 4th, at his home.  He was 96, full of insatiable curiosity, boundless creativity, ready laughter, and love for his family and friends.

He was born in White Plains, NY, in 1927, one of six children of Alfred Mifflin Lowe and Deborah Coles Faile.  The family, including his older brother Alfred and sister Helen then moved to Philadelphia, where brothers Bromley and Henry, and his sister Cecilia were born.  He graduated from Northeast High School in 1945 and immediately volunteered for the U.S. Navy, where he was quickly assigned to officer training school.  The Navy then sent him to Yale University, and in 1949, he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.  Later that year, he visited a former college roommate in Houston, and immediately embraced the City’s optimism and opportunities.

In 1959, after stints at major Houston retailers, he founded what would become M. David Lowe Staffing Services, the leading independent HR firm in Texas, known nationwide for its professionalism and integrity.

In 1973, he was appointed Assistant Secretary for Manpower for the U.S. Army, hand-picked to assist with the nation’s transition from compulsory service to an all-volunteer military, and to help negotiate the Army’s transfer of the Panama Canal to Panamanian control. He shuttled between Washington DC, Army bases, Panama, and Houston until 1975.  He was awarded the U.S. Army’s highest commendation for civilians, the Decoration for Distinguished Civilian Service.  

In 1983, he met the love of his life, Nana Booker, and they shared 40+ adventurous years, in business and the arts, exploring remote parts of the world, and with family and friends at his Brenham ranch, and their home in Sanibel FL.

He was an accomplished sculptor in many media, choosing not to sell, but to donate his work to schools and charities.  He was a longtime supporter of visual and performing arts, humanitarian causes near and far, and individuals with promise and ambition.

He is survived by his wife, Nana Booker AM; his beloved daughter, Eva Deborah Lowe, and adored grandchildren Max Lowe and Emma Lowe; brother Henry Lowe (Rita), sister Cecilia Sweeney, sister-in-law Suzanne Lowe; and extended family.  His brothers, Alfred Lowe Jr. and Bromley Lowe, and his sister, Helen Roedell, predeceased him. He was particularly close to his nephew, Marshall David Whinney, as well as to Nana’s sister, Anna Booker Parker, and their families.

He counted many former employees as lifelong friends, and enjoyed visiting with the “alumni” to share stories.

He also treasured his “home team” -- Laura Aboytez, Erma McLemore, Rose Gomez, and Azieb Tekle.

His funeral service will be held at 11 am, Saturday, March 16th, at St. John the Divine Church, 2450 River Oaks Blvd., Houston 77019.  It will be live-streamed at www.sjd.org/lowe

Memorial contributions may be made to:

Interfaith Ministries  https://www.imgh.org/tributes/

MFAH Glassell School  https://www.mfah.org/give/annual-fund-drives

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft https://crafthouston.org/support/ 

Houston Grand Opera www.hgo.org/donate