Wayne Lowell

1931 - 2021

Wayne K. Lowell, MD
June 14, 1931 - December 19th, 2021
Wayne Kenneth Lowell passed away peacefully at home in Modesto on December 19th, 2021. He was 90 years old.

Born in Oakland, CA, Wayne spent his elementary school years in San Francisco, attending West Portal Elementary. His family moved to the Peninsula, where he attended high school in San Jose. Apparent even in his early years, Wayne was an athlete and scholar. In addition to being a high school basketball star, he was an accomplished junior golfer. He played in tournaments all over Northern California. His athletic skills landed him a position on the UC Berkeley golf team. At Berkeley, Wayne developed an interest in medicine, graduating in three years so he could enter medical school at Stanford University. Following his graduation from Stanford Medical School, he served 2 years in the US Army as the base obstetrician at Ft. Lewis, WA. Wayne then returned to Stanford as a fellow in ear, nose, and throat surgery.

Wayne came to Modesto in 1965 as a young doctor. He was lured by the opportunity to grow a medical practice, joining the Gould Medical Group as one of the original physicians. Along with his wife Nancy (d. 2002), they established roots in the community, raising in Modesto their three children, Clifford Lowell, MD-PhD, Elizabeth Lowell Dixon, PhD, and Kathryn Lowell, MPA.

Wayne practiced medicine with Gould for 25 years, attending to thousands of patients with hearing loss, throat infections and head/neck cancers. He rose to become the President of Gould, during which time he participated in the growth of Memorial Hospital, all at a time that Modesto itself was rapidly growing. He helped to modernize Gould as a Foundation which eventually forged the partnership with Sutter that continues to thrive today as the Sutter Gould Medical Foundation. Wayne retired in 1990 as a well-respected community leader and gifted surgeon.

Throughout his life, Wayne remained an avid sportsman, fly fishing, playing tennis and golf. He joined the Del Rio Country Club in 1965 and remained a member for his entire life. He became a private pilot, flying a Cessna 180 out of the Modesto airport – taking his family on vacations throughout California and Mexico. Wayne's interest in travel was apparent in his many overseas trips with the Stanford travel program, including spending the millennial at the Taj Mahal in India.

Following Nancy's passing in 2002, Wayne married Jean Walker of Modesto. Together, they enjoyed a wonderful 18 years, spending time in Tahoe and Pebble Beach among other beautiful destinations. Together, they built a home in Del Rio and bought a home along the Monterey Peninsula Country Club (MPCC) golf course. They were well-recognized figures at MPCC, where they were often seen at the club restaurant or while Wayne practiced his golf on the driving range. Wayne and Jean enjoyed the love of their joined families and the company of their many friends in both Monterey and Modesto.

Wayne is survived by Jean, Jean's daughter, Carolyn Walker, and two grandchildren as well as by his three children, Cliff Lowell (spouse Kerry Koller), Elizabeth Lowell Dixon (spouse Lloyd Dixon), Kathryn Lowell and 5 grandchildren. Wayne will forever be remembered as a good man.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Salvation Army, Red Shield PO Box 580480 Modesto, 95358 or Cricket's Hope, 133 Downey Street Modesto, 95354. The family will have private services.