John Lowry

1930 - 2021

John Beatty Lowry
May 16, 1930 - June 10, 2021
John Beatty Lowry passed away peacefully in his home in San Rafael, California, on June 10, 2021. He was born in Indiana, Pennsylvania, on May 16, 1930, to John Beatty Lowry and Orpha Frech Lowry and grew up there with his five younger siblings, Margaret, Catherine, Dorothy, William and Louise. He graduated from Mercersburg Academy in 1948, and Princeton University, with a degree in History, in 1952. Upon graduation, he served as a second lieutenant in the Army's Artillery Division from 1952 -1954. He served in the Korean War and upon discharge attended Harvard Law School, graduating in 1957.

While at Harvard, John met Sarah Bate who was attending Wellesley College. They were married in 1956, in her hometown of Essex Fells, New Jersey. John and Sarah moved to San Francisco, California, in 1957 and John began his legal career with McCutchen, Doyle, Brown and Enersen. He became a partner in 1967 and dedicated his entire career to McCutchen where he specialized in tax law. John and Sarah had five sons and raised them in their home of many years on Laurel Street in Presidio Heights. John was an avid tennis player and bicyclist and enjoyed many camping trips with his family throughout California and the West. He was also an excellent pianist, with the house often ringing to his ragtime and jazz renditions in the evenings.

John was an active member and volunteer at Calvary Presbyterian Church during his membership, which spanned 50 years. His community activities included being a board member and president of the board of trustees of Calvary Presbyterian Church, the Urban School, and SPUR in its early years. John was also a board member of the American Skin Society.

In his later years, John and Sarah moved to Smith Ranch, a retirement community in San Rafael, California, where they formed and enjoyed many close friendships.

John was predeceased by his wife, Sarah, his brother, William, and two sisters, Margaret and Catherine. He is survived by his sisters, Dorothy Post and Louise Lowry, his five sons, John, Andrew, Stephen, Peter and William, and his ten grandchildren, Matthew, Tripp, Bridget, Colette, Heather, Alana, Sean, Ian, Kiana and Kai. A memorial service will be held at Calvary Presbyterian Church on August 14, 2021.