Lowell D. Brawley

Brawley, Lowell Donald, also known as LD, passed away on June 9, 2009 after a long illness. He was born in Ardmore, OK on January 26, 1935. In the spring of 1936, the family moved to California and he attended Morgan Hill elementary schools and graduated from Live Oak in 1955 where he was active in the FFA. After graduation, he went to work as a crane operator for BG Manufacturing in Gilroy. When BG closed Lowell went into farming on his own throughout the Santa Clara Valley and in Hollister. He raised prunes, walnuts, cucumbers, and grapes. He became known as the “Cucumber King” when he grew cucumbers in bottles. He also began his own commercial tractor business. In 1963, he began working for Morgan Hill Unified School District as a custodian and retired after 33 years as a transportation assistant. Lowell served as a volunteer fireman and was a member of several organizations including Morgan Hill Junior Chamber of Commerce, Moose Lodge, Farm Bureau, Fish & Game Club, and the Morgan Hill Historical Society.  His fondest memories are his time with the fire department and the monthly meetings of the Historical Society. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Dora and Grady Brawley and brother Byron. He is survived by his brother Gary (Linda) Brawley of Peoria, AZ, sister-in-law Angie Brawley of San Jose, nephew Gary Matthew (Tiffany) of Peoria, AZ, niece Jodi of Boise, ID, great-nephews Joshua and Nathan Brawley and great-niece Macy Brawley of Peoria, AZ and many close friends in the Morgan Hill area. Services are under the direction of Johnson’s Funeral Home at 10:00 A.M., visitation begins at 8:30 A.M., on June 17, the Reverend Tim Howe officiating. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Morgan Hill Historical Society or the First Baptist Church of Gilroy.