Kermit Lowry Jr.

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Dr. Kermit Lowry Jr., age 70, passed away Saturday, March 25, 2006, at his home.
He was born in Kinston, N.C., and was the son of the late Kermit and Pattye Richardson Lowry. He was a graduate of Tennessee High School Class of 1952. While in high school, he was a member of the basketball team, the Key Club and was active in the Boy Scouts, where he became an Eagle Scout, and was later on the staff of Camp Tom Howard.
Kermit attended the University of Virginia, where he graduated with honors after three years (1955), with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry. While at the University of Virginia, he was named to Phi Eta Sigma, which is an honorary academic achievement fraternity; and was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, the university's Glee Club, head cheerleader for the football team, played soccer and was a founding member of "The Virginia Gentleman," a men's octet which still exists today. In March 2003, The Virginia Gentleman celebrated its 50th anniversary, and Kermit was an honored guest at the celebration along with the other surviving founders. He was a member of the University of Virginia Alumni Association.
He attended Emory University Medical School, where he graduated in 1959 with his medical degree and completed his residency at Emory University and Grady Memorial Hospitals. He was a Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He was also a veteran of the U.S. Army. Dr. Lowry was a longtime team physician for the Tennessee High School Athletic Department. He was a founding member of the State of Franklin Surgical Society, an original member in the establishment of the Professional Park and one of the key organizers in establishing the Bristol Surgery Center, which was the first free-standing outpatient surgery center in this region. He was involved in establishing the Medical School at ETSU and served as professor in the Department of Surgery.
His community contributions also included the Bristol Historical Society and the Rotary Club, where he had served as president, was the recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award and established the Kermit Lowry Sr. Fund for Paul Harris Fellowship in honor of his father. He was also a member of the Ski Patrol on Beech Mountain, N.C. In addition, he enjoyed tennis, golf and hunting.
Survivors include his two daughters, Lynn Lowry Carroll and husband Danny of Atlanta and Tera Lowry Burnette and husband Scott of Monroe, Ga.; his son, Kermit Lowry III and wife Angie of Marietta, Ga.; his former wife, Eleanor Hardy Lowry; seven grandchildren, Ryan and Reese Carroll, Matt and Brandon Burnette and Kermit IV, Mary Katherine and Maddie Karoline Lowry; and special friend, Betty McGlothlin; daughter, Kim Ramey; and Mrs. Gary Roberts.
A memorial service will be conducted at noon Tuesday, March 28, 2006, in the State Street United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Reed Shell officiating.
Honorary pallbearers will be Mr. and Mrs. Ted Testerman, Mr. George Testerman, Dr. and Mrs. John Byers, Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Hunt, Mrs. Bruce Lowry, Mr. Lycurous Lowry, Mr. William "Bill" Ligon, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Davenport, Dr. and Mrs. Claude "Stooky" Crockett, Dr. and Mrs. Frank Blanton, Dr. and Mrs. Nelson Link, Dr. and Mrs. John Fincher, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Hardwick, Dr. and Mrs. Sarfraz Zaidi, Mr. and Mrs. Steward Pope, Dr. and Mrs. Sidney Wike, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Leonard, Mr. and Mrs. John Tickle, Dr. and Mrs. Jack Butterworth, Mr. Gary Roberts, Dr. and Mrs. Harry Bachman, Mr. and Mrs. Karl Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Blevins Jr., Mr. and Mrs. David Crockett, Mr. and Mrs. Grady Hensley, Mr. and Mrs. William G. Lillard, Dr. and Mrs. Ace Rolen, Mr. and Mrs. John Miller, Mr. and Mrs. John Matney, Mr. and Mrs. C. B. "Bernie" Linkous, Mr. Harry Scalan, Mr. Dewey Pendley, Mrs. John C. Paty Jr. and Mr. Martin Hassinger.
Those desiring may send memorial contributions to the Kermit Lowry Jr. Endowment Fund, c/o Rotary Club Bristol VA-TN, P.O. Box 5624, Bristol, VA 24203-5624; or the Bristol Cancer Assoc., 1255 W. State St., Bristol, VA 24201. E-mail condolences may be sent to the Lowry family at akardfh@akardfuneralhome.com.
Akard Funeral Home, 1912 W. State St., Bristol, TN 37620, (423) 989-4800, is serving the family of Dr. Kermit Lowry Jr.