Ming Lee Lowe

Those who knew Ming thought of him more as a son and a brother than simply a friend, coworker or neighbor. He taught us how to love one another well. He was a Catholic convert as a child who found that God gave him lifelong peace and joy. He was a family man, married for 25 years to Lori (Ahner) Lowe, and father to Blake, 20, and Claudia, 18. Ming treasured spending time with his family, especially in nature. After his faith, he considered fatherhood to be his greatest gift.

Ming was blessed with a remarkable career, fulfilling his childhood dream of becoming an airline pilot for FedEx (23 years) and USAir Express. He flew all over the world serving as Captain on the B-727, MD-11, and the B-767. He also served his fellow crew members by becoming a Check Airman/Instructor on the B-727 and the MD-11. Over the years, he taught many others to fly, including proudly helping both of his children earn their private pilot licenses. In teaching, he developed many dear friendships.

Ming was a natural flyer who found so much joy in the skies; he loved the view from up high. We are comforted that Ming is enjoying the even better view from heaven, his eternal reward. He was an adventurer who loved to travel. Yet, he was grounded as a husband and father who loved being home. He was skilled at many hobbies including gourmet cooking and entertaining, running (half marathons/triathlons), home improvement, woodworking and fixing almost anything. Ming was an optimist and a jokester, full of energy and positivity, who made friends everywhere he went. He was generous with friends and strangers alike, always ready to pay a compliment or perform a good deed.

Born November 21, 1969 to the late Norman Lowe and Orma “Buzzy” (Lawson-Johnston) Lowe in Burlington, Iowa, Ming grew up in Fort Madison, Iowa. His mother passed when he was very young, and his father remarried to Megan Lauren (Tucker) Lowe, his adoptive mother who survives him. He is also survived by his siblings: Ming Jon Lowe; Marc Lowe; Coryn (Jeremy) Logue; Joshua Lowe; Leslee (Craig) Remsburg; Bryn Lowe; Sean (Sarah) Lowe; his many beloved nieces and nephews; and all his in-laws.

Ming graduated high school from Missouri Military Academy in 1988 and earned his B.S. in Aviation Technology from Purdue University in 1992, where he met his college sweetheart, Lori. Ming spent many years volunteering for Pilots for Kids and on the bereavement committee at FedEx helping surviving spouses. He also volunteered at St. Simon the Apostle Catholic Church, where he was a parishioner since 2006, and at St. Simon School. He especially enjoyed cooking meals for families in need.

Ming enjoyed many grand adventures and was an enthusiastic travel planner. He traveled with his family many times to Europe, Canada, and across the U.S. for work and pleasure. Ming didn’t believe in “bucket lists,” but believed in finding joy and beauty in every day. In his memory, he asks that you treasure your family time and plan a nature hike with your loved ones. His family also asks that you perform a good deed for someone, just as Ming would have done regularly.

In 2018, Ming was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer that affects people of all ages. He continued to live his life with purpose and peace, fighting the disease with courage and grace, while still living his life to the fullest and helping others smile. He trusted God in all things and wanted others to know God’s love for them.

As a final request, Ming asks that you send a memory of him to [email protected]. These will be compiled into a book for his family.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Flanner and Buchanan, 7855 Cork Rd., Indianapolis on Friday Sept. 10. Visitation will be 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a time of sharing at 4 p.m. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Simon the Apostle Catholic Church, 8155 Oaklandon Rd., Indianapolis on Saturday, Sept. 11 10:30-11:30 a.m. with a luncheon immediately following at St. Simon. Private Inurnment will be at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens.

If you are considering making a donation in Ming’s memory, please consider Pilots For Kids or the National Brain Tumor Society.

Pilots are encouraged to attend services in their uniforms.