Lowell Chrisco

Lowell Thomas Chrisco, 82, local visionary businessman, passed away from a lengthy illness on Monday, September 16 at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House. Born in Black Oak, Arkansas, in 1937, he lived a long, full life and was preceded in death by his father, Walt, mother, Ella Baird (Honey) and sister, Maxine Webb.

Lowell graduated from Jonesboro High School with the Class of 1955 and then attended the University of Arkansas. He remained an avid Razorback fan for life.

Out of school, he worked in real estate and served as a municipal judge in Cherokee Village. He later relocated to Jonesboro, where he served as a Justice of the Peace and started many successful area businesses including Hustler Corporation, 501 Club, and Circus Circus. Later in life, through his company ElSi Marketing and Sales, Lowell spent nearly 20 years bringing products to Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club, many of which are still sold in stores today.
Lowell’s talents extended well beyond the office, for he was an accomplished chef, tennis player, and outdoorsman. Many happy days were spent teaching his wife, Kaye, to hunt and fish. In 2005, Lowell harvested an Eastern, Merriam’s, Rio Grande and Osceola turkey to achieve a Grand Slam. He was a member of the Big Island Club, Ducks Unlimited, the Chicago Hole at Sitzer Reservoir Hunting Club, and Miller Point Hunting Club in Mississippi. Most notably, he was a member of First Baptist Church.

Some of Lowell's personal points of pride include acing Rod Laver (number one ranked professional tennis player in the world from 1964-1970), placing in the Memphis in May barbecue competition and then competing in the World Championship in Ireland, winning multiple cooking awards for his chili and wild game dishes, and building a long-standing friendship with Sam Walton.

Lowell leaves behind his wife of 22 years, Kaye, his three daughters, Amanda McCarty (Patrick) of Cordova, Tennessee, Darrah Cole of Mountain Home, Arkansas, and Charlotte Kaufman (Matthew) of Gainesville, Georgia, his stepson, Brian Meredith of Jonesboro, and eight grandchildren: Hayden Meredith, Mary Claire Meredith, Charlie McCarty, Anna Grace McCarty, Shelby Cole, Maddy Cole, Josh Kaufman, and Peyton Kaufman. He also leaves behind numerous friends and extended family members.

The family can be visited at Emerson’s from 1:15 to 2:00 on Tuesday, September 17, 2019. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. in Emerson Memorial Chapel with Don Martin officiating. Burial will be private.

Lasting memorials may be made to CurePSP.org