KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Donald Keith Lowry proclaimed that he had lived the best life ever lived! He always maintained that his death would be much more sacred than his birth. Born Oct. 25th, 1928, Donald was the youngest of seven children of Homer and Verna Lowry and last decedent. Don achieved heavenly glory on Sept. 17, 2013. The Lowry family is reunited and restored!
A farm kid from Great Bend, he moved to Kansas City in 1958 as an agent for Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance. He created the perfect career by combining his love of basketball with business by hanging out at the KUMC gym and waiting on pick-up games with interns and writing life insurance. His interests included sports, saving money, and smart, pretty women. He married the smartest, prettiest woman in Kansas City, Marsha Bowman in 1960. He was the consummate salesman, jokester, dancer, athlete, table tennis champion, sports enthusiast for KU Basketball, Chiefs, and his greatest love, KC Royals (not just a fair weather fan!). His 6’3” stature was as big as his personality and put him in roles of leadership. He lettered in football in his freshman year of Great Bend High School and was Class President of his graduating Class of 1947. He received a full ride scholarship to Southwestern College, Winfield, for basketball but played football and baseball too. In 1957, he won a State softball tournament in Great Bend, managed by his brother Elmo and led in batting at .375. He faced the famous stuntman, softball pitcher, Eddie Feigner, and got a base hit. Eddie ripped his head towards first base and yelled, “Who are you?” Don laughed and said “I scouted you out last night in Wichita! I’m Don Lowry!” He estimated the number of basketball games played in his lifetime to be 8,241. He won numerous city basketball tournaments in the 1970’s for Community Christian Church where he has been member for over 50 years.
Known as Big Don, DK, The Deacon, and as a boy, Donnie and, of course, Dad. He was the biggest, strongest man we’ve ever known! His life and leadership is an inspiration to those of us left to cherish his memory. His daughter Leslie Lowry-Super (Tom), Kansas City Mo.; sons Barry Nordyke, Kansas City, Mo. and Mark Bowman, Naples, Fla.; grandchildren Max and Ellie Super, Kansas City, Mo. and Michael Bowman, Dallas, Ga.; nieces and nephews Joyce Jackson (JB) Council Grove, Dr. Duane Lowry (Carolyn) Elizabethton, Tenn., Dr. Ramona Becker (Rob) Wichita, Bonita Fish (Mike) Gilbert, Ariz., Dr. Lowry Bushnell (Becky) Salt Lake City, Ut., Drucilla Lowry, Jerusalem, Israel, John Lowry, Bakersfield, Calif., and Kemp Lowry, Alsea, Ore.; many great nieces and nephews, cousins, family and friends. He was predeceased by his parents Homer and Verna Lowry; siblings Doris, Iva, Elmo, Vera, Ford and Wendell; and ex-wife Marsha Lowry.
Celebrate and share a life well lived at Community Christian Church in Bonfils Chapel at 4601 Main St., Kansas City, MO, 64112, at 2 p.m. for visitation, services at 3 p.m., on Saturday. Interment will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, at Mt. Moriah Cemetery South, 10507 Holmes Road. Condolences can be left at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com.  

Funeral arrangements provided by
Mt. Moriah and Freeman Funeral Home**
10507 Holmes Rd.
Kansas City, MO 64131
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Sept. 20, 2013