T-R PHOTO BY MIKE DONAHEY - U.S. Army veteran, former Marshalltown mayor and local resident Jim Lowrance is pictured at the Tremont on Main restaurant recently.

For nearly 50 years, Marshalltonians have known Jim Lowrance as a Chamber of Commerce executive, a businessman, a banker and civic leader.

He also made a significant commitment to serve Marshalltown as mayor and city councilor.

There was important work as a volunteer with the American Red Cross, Marshalltown Area United Way, the former Marshall Economic Development Impact Committee — then a division of the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce — and other charitable organizations.

He did all of the aforementioned while helping spouse Sylvia Lowrance raise a family.

Lowrance also proudly served his country in the U.S. Army, making him eligible for the 2024 Times-Republican’s “Salute to Veterans.”

Lowrance, now retired and living in Marshalltown with Sylvia, recalled it was 1972 when he, a native of Skidmore, Mo., had recently graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Mo.

He and Sylvia had recently married.

Lowrance, 21, had drawn a high lottery number in the then U.S. Selective Service’s draft lottery system and knew his number would be called in the immediate future.

He decided to enlist in the Army in March, 1972.

Lowrance would go on to serve with distinction during a three-year career where he and Sylvia lived at army posts in Fort Huachuca (Sierra Vista, Ariz.) and The Presidio (San Francisco, Calif.).

After successfully completing boot camp at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., the Army assigned him to learn the challenging Korean language, which prepared him for work as an investigator.

He was then assigned to a military base in South Korea while Sylvia remained in the San Francisco area.

“My assignment was to investigate South Koreans who wanted to work at the base 15 miles south of the demilitarized zone – the land that separates North Korea from South Korea,” he said in a recent interview with the Times-Republican.

Lowrance said tensions in the area remained high, because South Korean, U.S and United Nations forces had been involved in a brutal war with North Korean and Chinese Communist forces from 1950-53.

An uneasy truce has existed since the war’s end. U.S. troops remain stationed in South Korea 71 years after hostilities ceased.

“I was required to go off-base for the investigations,” he said. “I was accompanied by a South Korean who was fluent in the language and knowledgeable about the area and its people.”

Lowrance said he was happy to have a South Korean join him, especially when driving off-base.

“The traffic in the area was congested, and South Koreans are aggressive drivers,” he said. “Additionally, South Korean traffic police could be extremely aggressive when dealing with traffic offenders.”

Despite their driving habits, Lowrance and his fellow GIs found the South Korean hospitable welcoming and grateful for the security American troops offered.

“The South Koreans frequently offered us kimchi – which is cabbage and a South Korean staple. They also offered us plenty of beer too … they really liked their beer,” he said.

After his deployment, Lowrance served at The Presidio for an assignment before being honorably discharged in 1975.

Lowrance then transitioned to civilian employment accepting a position with the St. Joseph, Mo, Chamber of Commerce. His supervisor was Dennis Maulsby, a Marshalltown native and an Army combat veteran who had served in Vietnam.

“Dennis said I should apply for the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce executive position should it ever open up,” Lowrance said. “Dennis’ family had a business; He said the business community was extremely supportive of the Chamber’s mission and would contribute personnel and money to support worthy organizational efforts for community betterment. The job did open up. I applied and was hired in 1978.”

After serving several years as Chamber executive, Lowrance was offered and accepted an executive position with the local — and former — Party Pac Popcorn Co.

“I was company secretary and worked with the three Neuroth brothers of Marshalltown,” he said. “Loras Neuroth was like a brother to me.”

Later, Lowrance transitioned to a new career as a loan officer with the local – and former – Brenton Bank located downtown.

The bank was one of several branches owned by a family in Cedar Rapids. They later sold the Marshalltown and other Iowa locations to Wells Fargo of San Francisco.

Lowrance later was promoted to Wells Fargo’s Marshalltown branch bank president.

He would finish his banking career as president of Great Western Bank (now First Interstate Bank).

At Brenton, Lowrance said he worked with, or “for,” Sarah Hesmer of Marshalltown – then a bank executive. Hesmer currently works with her husband Ken and son David at the local and family-owned Action Auto Parts.

In addition to Neuroth and Hesmer, Lowrance cited the late Marshalltown mayor, civic leader and renowned Lennox Manufacturing President T.R. “Tommy” Thompson as another major influence.

Lowrance and Thompson were neighbors for many years.

“Tommy was a mentor and a friend,” Lowrance said. “His counsel and advice were important.”

Reflecting on his volunteer activities, the Army veteran said it was fun – and important – to volunteer.

“In a community this size, one gets called on to assist frequently,” he said. “It is important to answer the call.”

Nancy Steveson of Marshalltown served as United Way’s executive director from 1978-2020.

She is now retired.

“Jim was a member of our board of directors and a co-campaign chair,” she said. “Importantly, he helped me identify community resources and served as a confidant. I cannot say enough good things about Jim. He is a friend and extraordinary civic leader. He and Sylvia have worked tirelessly to promote Marshalltown.”

Additionally, Lowrance’s contributions to demanding city council work did not go unnoticed.

“On our city council and as mayor, Jim had one of the most even-keeled temperaments,” said current Mayor Joel Greer. “I do not recall him ever even slightly raising his voice. He was unflappable. And I appreciated his ‘dry’ sense of humor. He led by example and employed a collaborative style in addressing numerous city issues. As a friend, he always had your back.”

Jim and Syvia said they now spend their time with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. One of their pleasures as retirees — Sylvia retired from a career with McFarland Clinic in Marshalltown a number of years ago — is having breakfast with friends at the local Tremont on Main restaurant.

“I would strongly recommend the Army to a young man or woman when they are evaluating career options,” Jim said. “It is ideal for a single person but more challenging if married and raising a family.”