William Ashbrook Lowe Sr.

1933 - 2023

William Ashbrook Lowe, Sr

May 6, 1933 - November 12, 2023

Carmichael, California - William Ashbrook (Brook) Lowe, known to many as a loving, gentle, and humorous Cal Bears football fan, passed away peacefully at home from natural causes on November 12, 2023, surrounded by his family. Born on May 6, 1933, in Marysville, CA to Edmund and Leila Lowe, he was the eldest child, followed by his younger brother Bud, and sister Linda.

A proud Sacramento High School graduate in 1952, Brook, played 4 years of basketball, was Delegate to California Boys State, and served as Student Body President. He carried his love for history and political science from UC Berkeley into his early career as a teacher, and later as a mortgage banker for 40 years, first working for Mason McDuffie in Berkeley, CA. It was at Berkeley that he met the love of his life, Carla Sampson Lowe, in a history class in 1954. Their love story spanned almost 7 decades and produced five children: Jennifer, Bill, Elizabeth, Katie, and Daniel, and a host of grandchildren: Spencer and Brooks Carroll, (Jennifer and Steve), Vivian and June Lowe (Dan and Deborah), Estelle and Graham Engelskirchen, (Elizabeth and Adam), and Jack, William and Daniel Garland (Kate and Scott).

Brook was a calm, easy going man with many passions. He loved his weekly golf games with sons Bill and Dan, fly-fishing trips on the Yuba River, and spending time with his children and grandchildren at sporting and musical events. He served in many capacities at Christ Community Church, enjoyed many genres of music, was proud to have never missed a year of Music Circus or the Old Sacramento Jazz Jubilees, and spent hundreds of hours gardening and tending to the flower and rose garden in their backyard with his bride. Brook was a 40-year board member of Young Life, and has worked with Carla in Americans Against Legalizing Marijuana since 1977. His favorite pastimes included spending time with family and friends and cheering on the Cal Bears, the 49ers and the Warriors.

Known for his kindness, warmth, and sense of humor, Brook was a role model who brought his family together with his dedication to Christianity and his marriage. He taught many the importance of family values, work ethic, and maintaining a calm, Zen-like presence.

A celebration of Brook's life will be held on January 6, 2023, 11 am at Christ Community Church, 5025 Manzanita Avenue, Carmichael, CA 95608. The Service will be Live Streamed. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Young Life CA 521, 6800 Main Ave., Orangevale 95662, or Americans Against Legalizing Marijuana, PO 158, Carmichael, CA 95609. Brook's legacy of love and laughter will forever be cherished by all who knew him.