The year was 1958. It was the year of the microchip and a pivotal time in history for modern technology. Kids watched Howdy Doody on black and white TV sets and would meet their friends for a soda pop at the local drugstore.
Back then, drugstores used to be so much more than a place to pick up prescriptions; many drugstores served as a safe meeting place for people of all ages!
It was during this time that Lowell Irby opened his drugstore, Lowell’s Pharmacy. With over 60 years in business, the pharmacy is a mainstay of the community of Artesia. Over the years, Lowell has built relationships with the patients he would consult, making it a very rewarding profession. From authorizations to lost medications, Lowell received a great amount of joy in providing assistance to those in need. This mover and shaker earned his success based on service while improving the quality of life for his community.
Lowell was born and raised in Boswell, Oklahoma; his father, Bayless, moved the family to New Mexico when he took a position as a pharmacist here in Artesia. Lowell, who was in Junior High, remembers feeling a bit of a culture shock when he first moved to Artesia because unlike his school in Oklahoma, New Mexico no longer enforced segregation. He fondly remembers making many new friends of every race when he came to Artesia and thinking, “if they’re not making it a big deal, I won’t make it a big deal.”
The Irby family loved their new home in Artesia and knew they were here to stay. Bayless purchased the drugstore business where he had been hired and changed the name to Irby Drug. The store sat at 4th and Quay. It quickly became a local hot spot. In addition to the tinctures and healing solutions that lined the drugstore’s shelves, it featured a soda fountain counter and a grill for serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Lowell remembers his father working long hours, and he often helped around the family business. Although they were new to town, their dedication and service to Artesia made them well-respected members of the community. Bayless Irby would go on to serve as Mayor of Artesia in the 1960s.
After graduating from Artesia High School in 1951, Lowell Irby attended Southwest Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma. After years of helping in his father’s drugstore, Lowell had no doubts about attending pharmacy school. Lowell played on the university’s football team his freshman year but stopped after his first season to focus on his academics. He attained his professional doctorate degree to become a pharmacist and returned to Artesia. Upon his return, Lowell helped his father at Irby Drug while also starting an additional business venture, I&W Hot Oiler Company which specialized in oilfield trucking.
In December of 1958 Lowell opened his independent drugstore; Lowell’s Pharmacy was first located at 4th and Washington in Artesia. Contrary to Irby Drug, Lowell had an alternative concept and wanted to focus on health and wellness merchandise in addition to prescriptions. In the beginning, the pharmacy was only filling about twelve prescriptions a day. (Fast forward to today—the pharmacy is now filling thousands of prescriptions every week!) In the 1980s Lowell’s Pharmacy moved locations to its present site, adjacent to Artesia General Hospital. Lowell’s Pharmacy continues as a partnership between Lowell and his eldest son, Kirk. Lowell’s family recognized his commitment to serving the health care needs of his community, working Saturdays, and often not getting home until well after 6:30 every evening. Even after the long hours at the pharmacy, he found time to enjoy life with his wife Norberta and four children—Kirk, Eugene, Lanette, and Wade.
Beyond Lowell’s clinical expertise, his activity in the community is invaluable. Serving 44 years on the Artesia Public School Board, he volunteered countless hours into investing into APS students and staff. Lowell was recognized by the state as the Longest Serving School Board Member in New Mexico and prior to his retirement last year, he was appointed to the New Mexico Public School Insurance Authority. When parents had a problem with something, they would inevitably discuss it with Lowell. He is considered by many as approachable and as the best person to offer guidance in tough situations.
Currently, Lowell is resting at home under the care of his son Eugene as he endured a significant injury in December of 2021, shortly after the passing of his wife Norberta in October. During this challenging time, Lowell’s family and friends have been a great support system for him. Resiliently, he continues to stop by the pharmacy during the week and will go out to his favorite lunch spot, La Fonda. Even at 89, Lowell’s goal is to get back to work serving the community he loves so well.
