W. Richard (Dick) Lowry

W. Richard (Dick) Lowry, was born August 25, 1943, and experienced childhood in Lathrop, California. Dick was the beloved only child born to Jim and Dorothy Lowry. From the beginning, Dick stole the hearts of many. His quick wit and humor, along with his kindness and generosity were known throughout the family.

Sadly, Dick’s life ended way too soon on August 11, 2021 after a brief bout with pancreatic cancer. He was a wonderful, kind and gentle soul who deeply loved his family and friends. He left us a legacy of love, humor, kindness, wisdom and hard work. He is deeply missed and we are all grateful for the beautiful memories.

In lieu of a funeral, Dick requested a party with “good friends, good food, good music and for folks to leave with their toes tappin’.”
In keeping with his request, please join us in celebrating his life at an outdoor gathering in his favorite place………his own back yard.

The Dick Lowry Shindig
Saturday, August 27, 2022 at 11 AM
11810 Rising Road
Wilton CA 95693

Please RSVP by texting your name and number of attendees to (916)-224-0312.

After graduating from Manteca Union High School in 1961, Dick enrolled in Sacramento City College and worked at Libby, McNeill, and Libby Can Manufacturing Plant. On July 19, 1964, Dick married his lovely bride, Nancy Summers. Within 2 years he was drafted into the U.S. Army and assigned to a Nike site in Coventry, Rhode Island. Dick received an Army Commendation Medal for his accomplishments of designing a system for controlling, maintaining and appropriate distribution of classified documents within the entire New England area. Between his organizational skills, and his infamous shenanigans, Dick left an Impact long after his two-year commitment to Uncle Sam.

Dick and Nancy moved back to Sacramento in 1968, where he started working at the Department of Social Welfare as an Account Clerk and returned to school using his GI bill. In June of 1972, Dick received a degree in Finance from California State University, Sacramento. The following month, Nancy and Dick welcomed their first daughter, Megan Kay.

By 1975, Dick was working as Assistant Chief of County Expense Control Bureau, and welcomed their second daughter, Carrie Elizabeth. Dick moved on to become Chief of Cost Control Bureau, Accounting Bureau, Fiscal Policy and Procedures Bureau and the Budget Bureau.

Dick and Nancy started their biggest adventure ever in 1980, when they bought a barren piece of land in Wilton, California. They worked together, planning every detail of their dream home. And then they began to build. Somehow, they were able to convince friends and family to help pour cement, paint walls, or nail off sheetrock. They even convinced some friends to carry a bathtub upstairs. There was never a lack of projects to keep them busy. Dick and Nancy were often laughing together through all the adventures, mishaps, blisters, bruises and accomplishments along the way.

In 1984 Dick accepted a promotion to Prison Industry Authority as Assistant General Manager of Administration and Marketing.
His last working assignment came in 1995 as Chief of Institutions Division, Department of Corrections headquarters until his retirement in May 2000. He enjoyed a long and satisfying career with the State of California. Dick met many friends along the way and organized an annual fishing trip for over 25 years. He and Nancy loved hosting parties just so friends could come together and keep in touch.

At Dick’s retirement, he was asked what he would be doing with his extra time. His response was, “quality one-on-one time with my grandchildren, getting back into woodworking, devoting more time to reading and music, and terrorizing the neighborhood on my go-cart if we get it running.”

He was true to his words. Dick spent the last two decades enjoying countless hours with grandkids. He loved dressing up as Santa for Christmas. He showed up to every grandchild’s concert, performance, open house, graduation, race and birthday party that he possibly could. He set up tents and made campfires for many sleep overs. And he always made memorable bedtime snacks for the kids.

He built and fixed things big and small with his own hands. He did get the Go-cart to run for a bit but soon changed it out for a golf cart loaded down with drip line supplies and pruning shears. He didn’t stop there. Dick and Nancy traveled the world with family and friends. He read lots of books for pleasure and listened to miles of music.

Dick left behind his beloved wife of 57 years, Nancy Summers;
daughters Megan Elmore (Curt Elmore) and Carrie Fredricks (Scott Fredricks); eight grandchildren: Halee Elmore Jones (Matt Jones), Aaron Elmore, Jason Elmore, Hannah Elmore, Samuel Elmore, Joshua Elmore, Elizabeth Fredricks McConnell (Tyler McConnell), Cain Fredricks; great-grandchildren Aariah and Ezra Jones.; and honorary grandchildren Arvin Gaza and Amanda Lopes.