Melvin "Van" Lowe, Jr.

Melvin (Van) Lowe, Jr., 87, of Little Rock, passed away peacefully on May 3, 2025 after a fall and brief hospital stay. Van was born January 24, 1938 in Little Rock to Melvin and Sybil Lowe. Van grew up in North Little Rock and graduated North Little Rock High School in 1956. He retired from Union Pacific Railroad in 1999 after 41 years as a carman in the air brake shop. He was an active member of New Haven Missionary Baptist Church and loved his church family. Van was a man of many talents. He could build anything including construction, complete restoration of his 1935 Ford coupe and creating meticulously detailed wood cars, trains and furniture.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 62 years, Wynema Neely Lowe, his son Richard Young, and his daughter Vicki Lowe Dempsey.

He is survived by his son Mark Lowe; his sister Linda Lowe Huckaby; his granddaughters Stephanie Jeffers (Michael) and Vanessa Ketcher; his great-grandchildren Jordan Jeffers, Whitney Jeffers, Autumn Ketcher and Devin Ketcher; and numerous other family and friends.

Visitation is 2:00 PM, followed by a funeral at 3:00 PM, Wednesday May 7, 2025 at Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home with Bro. John Bagby officiating. Burial will follow at AR Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers include: Michael Jeffers, Danny Whitlock, Joey Griffis, Phillip Forbush, Nate Sparks and Adam Whitlock. Keith Creek is the honorary pallbearer.

Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St., North Little Rock, AR 72114. 501-758-1170.