James Lowry

James Joseph Lowry, Jr., 59, died Monday, October 4th at the Hospice House of Wake County. Mr. Lowry was born on September 28, 1951 in Norfolk, Va. He spent much of his youth traveling around the United States, Japan, Hong Kong and the Philippines with his parents, Cdr. James Joseph Lowry, USN, and Joan Kelley Lowry during his father’s naval career. In middle school, the family returned to his mother’s hometown of Washington, NC where he graduated from Washington High School in 1970. Mr. Lowry attended North Carolina State University where he was the Captain of the Attack Squad for the lacrosse team. He was president of the student division of the North Carolina Recreation and Park Society. He graduated in 1974 with a degree in Recreation Administration. He was the first Executive Director of the N.C. Recreation and Park Society from 1979-1981. Mr. Lowry served as the Executive Director of the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association from 1981-1987. While living in Ohio, Mr. Lowry was named a Commissioner of Ohioans Outdoors and a Commissioner of Natural Resources by Governor Richard Celeste. In 1987, he returned to North Carolina to serve as the Executive Director for the Tourism Development Authority of Craven County. While living in New Bern, he pursued his love of journalism by becoming the publisher/owner of Southern Festivals. Mr. Lowry returned to Raleigh in 1989 and soon thereafter resumed his association management career. He managed many professional associations through the years, serving as CEO, lobbyist, publications editor and meeting planner for a wide variety of groups. Mr. Lowry most recently served as the Executive Director for the North Carolina Utility Contractors’ Association. An active member of the Association Executives of North Carolina since 1979, Mr. Lowry was named the AENC Outstanding CEO of the Year for 2006-2007. Mr. Lowry pursued his love of the outdoors each year during the Christmas holidays through his work with the Cranberry Tree Farm. Many people from Raleigh to Chapel Hill will miss his stories and his beloved Bassett hound, Emmie, during the holiday season as they search for their Christmas trees this year. Mr. Lowry is survived by his wife of 31 years, Cathy Benton Lowry, his daughter, Victoria Elizabeth Lowry, his son, Samuel Benton Lowry of Tucson, Ariz., and his sister Joan Lowry Coates of Union, Ky. The family will receive friends at the Renaissance Funeral Home at 7615 Six Forks Road on Thursday evening, October 7th from 4-5 pm. A memorial service will follow the visitation at 5 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations may be made to his daughter’s college fund. Checks should be made payable to Cathy B. Lowry. In the memo section, please write: F.B.O. Victoria E. Lowry College Fund. Please mail your contribution to BB & T, Attn. Melinda Dickinson, 6659 Falls of Neuse Rd. Raleigh, NC 27615.

James Lowry

September 28, 1951 - October 4, 2010