Shurley Dean Lowder was born in Huntsville, Utah, on August 3, 1923, to Ira S. and Thersa Chadwick Lowder. He graduated from Weber High School and Weber State College, and attended Art Colony School in Ogden and the American Academy of Art in Chicago. He served in the Army Air Corps during WWII as a Pilot Instructor of Aviation Cadets and Chinese Officers in AT-6s. He married his high school sweetheart, Jewel Dean Bingham, in Tucson, Arizona, on March 31, 1945. He is survived by his sons: James A. (Patricia) Lowder, Pocatello, Idaho; and Richard D. (Lynn) Lowder, Brownwood, Texas. He was preceded in death by his wife and siblings. As per his wishes, he has been cremated.