Lee Lyman Sowle

Age 92 of Owosso passed away Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at Memorial Healthcare.

Funeral services will be held 11am Monday, March 25, 2024, at Nelson-House Funeral Home with Pastor Mark Green officiating. Burial will be held at Cherry Grove Cemetery in Clare, at 1pm Tuesday, March 26, 2023. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 2pm to 6pm.

Lee was born on December 17, 1931, the son of Harley Mark and Sylva (Coe) Sowle.

 Lee Sowle was a native of Michigan. He has been active in photography and art since 1951 when he established a portrait and commercial studio in Clare, Michigan and operated there until coming to Owosso in 1964. First associated with Owosso Graphic Arts Studio as a commercial photographer for two years Lee then joined Day Camera Shop where he remained for twenty-five years as manager.

 During his time in Owosso, he presented lectures and demonstrations to area groups on many aspects of photography, including camera technique, portrait lighting, darkroom methods and historical programs about cameras and photographic imagery.

He pursued the art of restoring old photographs for over forty years: First with darkroom and air brush tools and now utilizing computer technology. Studying photography at Winona School of Photography in Indiana, art at Lansing Community College and membership in state and national associations has provided a knowledge base for many enjoyable years in this profession.

 Now retired, he devoted his time to fine art photography and photo restoration. His work has been displayed in several local galleries and images have been published in Reminisce magazine, Black and White magazine, and national trade journals. His fine art photography interests are in story telling images constructed by using photo-montage, surreal and pop-art interpretation of common subjects and nature scenes presented in a pictorial manner.

Lee and Margaret were joined in marriage on September 8, 1974.

Lee is survived by his wife Margaret Ellen (Boice) Sowle; 6 nieces and nephews Don (Gloria) Sowle, Patty Sowle, Diane Sowle, Janet Sowle, Gail (Mary) Sowle Jr., and Richard (Joyce) Fishel; other loving family and friends.

He was predeceased by his parents, 2 sisters Beverly Sowle and Maxine Fishel; brothers Neil Sowle and Gail Sowle; nephew Dr. Kent M. Fishel.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Shiawassee County Humane Society, Shiawassee Arts Center or Shiawassee Council on Aging.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at Nelson-House.com.