7/6/44 – 10/30/18

It is with great sadness that the family of Duane Lowry announces his passing after an extended illness, on October 30, 2018, at the age of 74.

Duane will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 52 years, Carolyn and his children, Kevin of Charlotte, NC, Kregg (Amy) of Johnson City, TN and Kayla (Joseph) Wright of Austin, TX.  Duane will also be dearly missed by his 4 grandchildren, Braxton, Mason, Evan and Colin, by his sister, Joyce (JB) Jackson and his niece and nephews, Amy Payne, Seth & Adam Lindberg and Eric Krug. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmo and Elva Payne Lowry and his beloved horse, Freedom.

A native of Great Bend, KS, Duane attended Great Bend High School, Class of 1963 and played collegiate baseball at Kansas University, where he was a member of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity. He went on to study at Southern College of Optometry where he earned his Doctorate in Optometry in 1969. Duane had a vibrant private practice in Elizabethton for 43 years. He loved his work and most of all the people whom he served in the community.

Duane served on the board of numerous organizations including The Back Country Horsemen of East Tennessee, where he was a founding member. He and Carolyn loved spending their weekends on horseback and devoting their spare time to helping improve the riding trails across Carter County. He was President of the American Optometric Association for the East Tennessee Region, President of the Rotary Club and member of the Chamber of Commerce in Elizabethton. Duane was also a prominent member of the First Presbyterian Church in Elizabethton where he served as Grounds Keeper for many years.

His devotion to his family, friends and community, as well as his love of the outdoors leaves behind a legacy that will forever be remembered by all that had the pleasure of knowing him.

A Celebration of Duane’s life will be held on Saturday, November 17th at Watauga Riverbend Retreat, 108 Blevins, Johnson City, TN 37601, which is located on the Old Elizabethton Highway.  Please come at any time between the hours of 2-4 pm.

Memorial donations in memory of Duane can be made to The Back Country Horsemen of East Tennessee at www.BCHET.org or a check can be made out to BCHET and mailed to Jamie Fritch, 205 Bridgewater Court, Johnson City, TN 37615, noting Duane’s name in the memo line. Condolences may be sent to: www.harrellfuneralhomes.com.