V. J. "Sonny" Lowrance, Jr., age 76 of Austin, formerly of Seguin, passed away on October 14, 2018. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at Tres Hewell Mortuary from 5 to 7 p.m. Graveside services and interment will be held at Dugger Cemetery in Seguin at 10 a.m. on Thursday, October 18, 2018. Following those services, family and friends are invited to a luncheon at 12:30 p.m. at the fellowship hall at Oak Hill Primitive Baptist Church, 11408 FM 1826, Austin, Texas, 78737, with a memorial service directly after at 2 p.m. at the church with Elder Dickie Halbgewachs and Elder David Pyles officiating. V. J. was born on January 3, 1942 in Dickens County, Texas to Virniel Joseph Lowrance, Sr. and Myrtle McDorman Lowrance. He graduated from Monterey High School in Lubbock, Texas and then received both his Bachelor's Degree in music education from Southwest Texas State University (Texas State) and his Master's degree in music education from Texas Tech University. He served as a deacon both at Shiloh Primitive Baptist Church in Seguin and at Oak Hill Primitive Baptist Church in Austin. V. J. served as the Seguin High School Choir Director for over thirty years until his retirement, where through music, he changed the lives of countless children. He was a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Choral Directors Association, and the Texas Music Adjudicators Association. He was a lifetime member of the PTA and was also a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. One of V. J.'s favorite hobbies was barbershop singing through SPEBSQSA. His passion for music carried over into his summers as he would travel to churches throughout the country teaching singing to both children and adults where they would learn four-part acapella harmony for congregational singing. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Elva Freeman and husband Wesley, and Belva Baker, his brother-in-law, Marvin Huneycutt and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Otho Riley and Lola Lea (Nickell) Springs. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Voncille Springs Lowrance; daughter, Valerie Lowrance Tyler and husband Craig; son, Virniel Joseph "Joey" Lowrance III and wife Barbara; grandchildren, Griffin Craig Tyler, Cooper Joseph Tyler, Hallie Varner Tyler, Sheppard Riley Tyler, Virniel Joseph "Cord" Lowrance IV, Denman Taylor Lowrance, Riley Teague Lowrance, and Lola Kathleen Lowrance; siblings, Wanda Huneycutt, Amedia Conry, Parker Houston Lowrance and wife Birdie, Timothy Dwight Lowrance and wife Pam, and Lisa Gunwall and husband Ken; brother-in-law, Malcolm Baker; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other loving family members and many, many friends and former students. V. J. cherished and loved all the times he spent with his friends and especially his family! All precious memories! V. J.'s eight grandchildren will serve as pallbearers. Memorial contributions may be made to Dugger Cemetery Association, c/o Sharon Herbold, 3106 Elm Creek Road, Seguin, Texas, 78155, to Oak Hill Primitive Baptist Church, 11408 FM 1826, Austin, Texas, 78737 or to the charity of one's choice.