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The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Student recalled as joyful

James Lowder
James Lowder

James Lowder died on Nov. 15 after he was hit by a train, according to Chico police. He was 19 years old.

Lowder was born on Dec. 29, 1993 and grew up in Folsom, according campus-wide email  announcement. He was a member of Lakeside Church in Folsom and participated in the youth group there.

In high school, he played tuba in the marching band and baritone saxophone in the jazz band, said Kathryn Allaman, the principal of Folsom High School, where Lowder attended.

“He was an instrumental part of the orchestra,” Allaman said. “You couldn’t help but know Jimmie. He was effusive, an absolute inspiration.”

During his time in the music program, Lowder became close with the music director, Curtis Gaesser, and his son Austin, who also played tuba in the band, Gaesser said. When Gaesser won Folsom Cordova Unified School District’s Teacher of the Year award, he asked Lowder to introduce him.

“He was an extremely talented musician,” Gaesser said. “He was one of those students that you never forget. He brought a lot of joy to my life and the lives of those around him.”

 

Jessie Severin can be reached at [email protected] or @theorion_news on Twitter.

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