Michael Lowry

Michael Louis Lowry, 60, passed away unexpectedly, 11:22 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2013 at Sweetwater Hospital. He served as an educator in the Monroe County and Sweetwater City Schools for almost 40 years. He was a teacher and principal and since 2007 he was the Director of Schools for Monroe County. He was Chairman of the East Tennessee Superintendents Study Council and Chairman of the Little Tennessee Valley Education Consortium and a member of the Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents. He was named the 2013 East Tennessee Superintendent of the Year. He received the 2012 TOSS Five Year CEO Leadership Award. He was a Monroe County Commissioner from 2001-2007. From 2001-2007, he was Vice-Chairman, East Tennessee Principals Study Council. In 2004, he was awarded the 10- Year Service Award Southeast Tennessee RC&D Council and in 2003 the State of Tennessee Colonial Aide de Camp. Previously he was a member of the Boys and Girls Club Board. He served on the Sequoyah High School Establishment Committee. He was a part-time boating officer for the TWRA for 15 years, a member of the Madisonville Kiwanis Club and a member of Tellico Masonic Lodge # 80. He was a long time active member of the First United Methodist Church of Madisonville. He was a 1971 graduate of Vonore High School, a 1973 graduate of Hiwassee College. In 1975 he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education. In 1992 he earned a Master of Education, Administration and Supervision degree from Lincoln Memorial University and in 1996 an Educational Specialist in Education Administration and Supervision degree from L.M.U. The grandson of a former superintendent, Mr. Lowry spent his career in service to the children and communities of Monroe County. As Director of Schools, he was instrumental in facilitating the building of Madisonville Primary School and renovating and rejuvenating Coker Creek Elementary, Rural Vale, and Tellico Plains Elementary and Vonore Elementary Schools. His legacy will impact many students and educators in those buildings and across the district in many ways. Mr. Lowry will be sadly missed by countless individuals and his lifes work will carry on for many generations to come. Survivors: wife of 32 years, Jan Henson Lowry; daughter, Mia Sage Lowry and friend, Dr. Bryan Beason; aunt, Nancy Starritt, Richmond, IN; special cousins and spouses, Audry and Daniel Mills, Batavia, Oh., Betty and Perry Bowling, Oliver Springs, Jim and Debbie Lowry, Norcross, Ga., Judy Starritt, Richmond, IN; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Gay Henson and Maurice Layne, Kent and Susan Henson, all of the Chattanooga area; great friend, Tim Blankenship, of Madisonville, who Mike said was the brother he never had; and his Central Office family. Preceded in death by parents, John Owen Lowry and Lillie Margaret "Tom" Loveday Lowry. Funeral 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, First United Methodist Church of Madisonville, Rev. Carole Martin officiating. Interment in Vonore Methodist Cemetery. Body will lie-in-state 30 minutes before service. Honorary pallbearers will be Lowell Russell, Cory Russell, Elton Frerichs and members of the Vonore High School class of 1989. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Madisonville Building Fund. Family will receive friends 5-8 p.m. today at Biereley-Hale Funeral Home, Madisonville.