Charles Franklin Lowry

Mr. Charles Franklin Lowry, a former City Commissioner, local businessman, loving grandfather and proud great-grandfather, passed away Wednesday, May 5, 2010, at the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson. Mr. Lowry was 95 years old. Mr. Lowry was born December 6, 1914, in Surry County, to the late Arthur Franklin and Grace Stewart Lowry. Mr. Lowry was the widower of the late Ruth Elizabeth Brintle Lowry. Mr. Lowry, along with his son, the late C. Frank Lowry, Jr., owned and operated Lowry Insurance Agency in Mount Airy for many decades. It was not until Mr. Lowry reached the age of 89 that he ceased serving his many loyal clients. Mr. Lowry served the City of Mount Airy as a City Commissioner from 1963 until 1987. During his period of service, Mr. Lowry served as Finance Chairman and developed a reputation as a shrewd and fiscally conservative manager of the City's financial resources. At the time that Mr. Lowry retired as City Commissioner, the City of Mount Airy had a $16 million dollar surplus. In addition to serving as City Commissioner, Mr. Lowry was involved in numerous civic organizations that assisted the community. He was a lifetime member and past master of Renfro Masonic Lodge #691 AF and AM and he was a lifetime member of the Oasis Temple. Also, he was a longstanding and devoted member of the Mount Airy Lions Club. Mr. Lowry was a faithful member of the Mount Airy Friends Meeting for over 75 years. In 2003, Mr. Lowry was recognized as being the oldest living member of the church. An avid world traveler, Mr. Lowry visited Europe eighteen times while also traveling to China, Hong Kong, Japan, Turkey, Brazil, Israel, and throughout the Middle East. On three voyages to Europe, Mr. Lowry took his grandchildren along and introduced them to his love of travel and exploring different parts of the world. Mr. Lowry is survived by his grandson, Scott Franklin Lowry and his wife, Brooke Barham Lowry of Mount Airy; his granddaughter, Beth Lowry Moore and her husband, Justin Ernest Moore, of Mount Airy; two great-grandsons, Charles Ransey Moore and Scott Dennis Moore, both of Mount Airy; a daughter-in-law, Dianne Smith Lowry of Mount Airy; and a brother-in-law, Joe Simmons of Mount Airy. In addition to his parents, Mr. Lowry was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Elizabeth Brintle Lowry; a son, C. Frank Lowry, Jr.; three sisters, Lessie Badgett, Ruth Massey, and Mary Simmons; and four brothers, Stewart Lowry, James Lowry, Joe Lowry, and Dick Lowry. The funeral service will be held Sunday, May 9, 2010, at 3:00 PM at Mount Airy Friends Meeting, with Pastoral Minister Dennis Ernest Moore officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Oakdale Cemetery, following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home, 945 Zephyr Road, Dobson, NC 27017, or to the Mount Airy Friends Meeting, 109 West Wilson Street, Mount Airy, NC 27030.