Loxie L. Dowdy

Loxie L. Dowdy, 87, of Ft. Collins passed away August 30, 2017 at a local nursing home. Loxie was born July 13, 1930 to Shirdy and Mary Ann Dowdy in a small town named Byrdstown, Tennessee, just a few miles from the Kentucky state line. Loxie was one of ten children born during the depression years. Loxie was a free spirit who always wore angel pins. She will be remembered for smile, hugs, and kisses.
Loxie attended elementary school in a one room school house in Byrdstown. She left Tennessee and lived with two older sisters in Muncie, Indiana. There she helped in the households with housekeeping and child care. She attended high school there and graduated from Royerton High School in 1950 in Muncie, Indiana. After graduation, she lived at the YWCA in Muncie, and had part time work in a silverware factory and also an ice cream factory. While living at the YWCA, she listened to a talk by an Army Recruiter. It sounded like a wonderful life and opportunity so she enlisted in the USAF in 1952 and retired in 1974 from Lowry Air Force Base in Aurora, Colorado.
During her career in the Air Force she was stationed at bases in Texas, New York, Illinois, California, Hawaii, and Colorado. She attended a school for cooks at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas and later a school for assignment in the administrative career field with duty as postal clerk in Hawaii. Her last assignment was to Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado, as First Sergeant of the 3439th Student Squadron which contained all female personnel coming from basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, to attend schooling in technical fields at Lowry. She was the first ATC Lady graduate of the USAF Senior NCO Academy at Gunter Air Force Base, Alabama in July 1973. She was awarded the AF Commendation Medal in 1970 and the First Oak Leaf Cluster in 1974.
She retired in 1974 as a Senior Master Sergeant with several awards and medals. She moved to Red Feather Lakes in 1986 for ten years and finally to Ft. Collins, Colorado. Loxie met her partner in the Air Force and have been committed relationship for 45 years. They signed a Civil Unions on April of 2014 and were married on November 10, 2014 at the county court house in Ft. Collins.
After retirement Loxie spent time with maintaining home and taking care of several pets. Loxie and Lucy had three poodles and a cat over the years. They traveled a lot in different RV's over the USA and visited home of families and friends. They also entertained family and friends at homes in Denver and Red Feather Lakes over the years. Loxie was an excellent cook. She also attended WAF Association Reunions at various locations in the USA. Loxie also attended the Foothills Unitarian Church in Ft. Collins.
Loxie loved being outdoors doing anything. She played many sports in the Air Force including tennis, skiing, golf, basketball, but her joy was in bowling in Base Sports Teams. She received many awards and trophies. She started fishing and it became a favorite thing to do in Red Feather Lakes. She also became a great fan of the Denver Broncos in the early Seventies.
Surivivors include her spouse Lucille D. Laugesen of Ft. Collins; two brothers, Cecil Dowdy and Lonzi Dowdy (Diana) of Byrdstown, Tennessee; three sisters, Edna Cross of New Castle, Indiana, Joretta Jones of Knightstown, Indiana, and Phyllis Whitt (Don) of Byrdstown.
Preceding Loxie in death are her brothers, Hershel and Virgil Dowdy and two sisters, Cordy Rose "Kay" Leslie and Clara Bell Boyer.
A private graveside service with full military honors will be held at Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado at a later date. Contributions may be made to Pathways Hospice in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Ft. Collins, CO 80524.