Richard Laurence Lowder, 82, of Mooresville, passed away on Friday, October 21, 2016 at the North Carolina State Veterans Home in Salisbury.He was born on April 26, 1934 in Montgomery County, NC, to the late Bernard and Deborah Scarborough Lowder. Mr. Lowder was a US Army veteran serving in the Korean Conflict. He received his Bachelor and Master's Degree in education from Appalachian State University. Dick Lowder became a "Mooresville boy" in 1959 when he joined the extended Brawley family. He joined the faculty of Mooresville Junior High School in 1960, teaching science to hundreds of now-grateful young citizens. He taught his students as friends, leading them on life's journey with guidance and good advice. He taught with a passion for knowledge, instilling a love of learning in Mooresville's young people. He retired in 2006, but never retired from living life to the fullest and always learning and teaching and sharing his gift with everyone he met. Extraordinary describes Dick Lowder. In the Biology lab, behind the camera, or in a stream catching fish, he excelled at all he tried. The community was blessed by his presence, improved by his influence and diminished by his absence. Dick was a charter member of the Mooresville Civitan Club. He was a member of Vanderburg United Methodist Church in Mooresville.In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Suzie Brawley.He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Elizabeth Brawley Lowder; daughter, Leigh Lowder Whitfield and husband, Greg; grandsons, Michael Gregory Whitfield, Jr. and Richard Lowder Whitfield; and brother-in-law, George W. Brawley, Jr.Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, October 26 at Vanderburg United Methodist Church with Rev. Tommy Conder and Rev. Joe Parker officiating. Burial will follow the service in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 5:30-8:00 PM at the funeral home.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lowder Scholarship Fund of Vanderburg UMC, 1809 Charlotte Hwy, Mooresville, NC 28115.Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, Mooresville, is serving the Lowder family. Condolences may be made to www.cavin-cook.com.