Maurice Towery

1934 - 2015

TOWERY, Maurice J. "Buddy" Longtime Atlanta businessman Maurice J. "Buddy" Towery of Vinings passed away peacefully at his home November 29, 2015 after a prolonged period of declining health. He was born in Atlanta, Ga on March 20, 1934 to his now deceased parents, Maurice and Jeanette Towery of Vinings. Mr. Towery had two siblings both of whom predeceased him, James Towery and Sally Towery Anderson. Mr. Towery was married to his devoted wife and college sweetheart, Joan Gilleland Towery. The couple would have celebrated their 6oth wedding anniversary later this month. Mr. Towery is also survived by his son Mr. Matt A. Towery and his wife Dolle Eckert Towery who also reside in Vinings. He is also survived by two married grandchildren, Matt Jr. and his wife Katie, and Katherine Towery Mitchell and her husband, Sean. Both couples live in the Atlanta area. He also leaves behind many in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins, many of whom reside in the Atlanta area. Mr. Towery attended Georgia State University (then the University of Georgia-Atlanta division). He served in the Army Security Agency, stationed in Germany, before starting his business career. Mr. Towery spent his entire working career in the commercial printing and advertising community. He was the founder of numerous advertising and printing related companies in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. In many instances his ownership was active. He created one of the South's first and most successful creative graphic design studios in the 1960s and in 1969 founded Color Graphics, Inc. one of the region's largest sheet fed commercial printing companies which he sold to a publicly traded Fortune 500 company in late 1997. In other instances Mr. Towery was a silent majority owner of several well- known advertising agencies and graphic communications companies between the 1960s and 1990s. While Buddy Towery had no active involvement in politics, he and his family were substantial supporters of both Democratic and Republican Georgia governors, U.S. Senators, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Former United States Senator Mack Mattingly said of Mr. Towery "He was one of the greatest entrepreneurs that I have ever known." Mr. Towery was a member of Southwest Christian Church where he once served on the Board of Deacons and Elders. He was also a lifetime Mason. Through his family and various corporate interests he was a direct or indirect benefactor to numerous organizations including Pace Academy, Stetson University College of Law, and Christian City. He was a longtime senior member of the Cherokee Town and Country Club and was a founding member of Cobb County's Georgian Club. He was also a former member of the Commerce Club and Atlanta Athletic Club before his retirement. Funeral services for Maurice J. "Buddy" Towery will be held on Friday December 4, 2015 at 2:00 PM in the chapel of Carmichael Funeral Home located at 2950 King St. SE, Smyrna, 30080. The interment will follow at Arlington Cemetery. The family will receive visitors at Carmichael Funeral Home in Smyrna on Thursday, December 3, 2015 from 4PM until 7PM.