Ray was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 56 years, Mary Elizabeth (Bette) Lowry, his late parents, Charles Samuel Lowry and Minnie Roach Lowry, as well as his brothers Charles W. Lowry and Samuel M. Lowry.
He is survived by his children, Robin Gore (James) and Sam Lowry (Gwen), both of Collierville, one grandson, Thomas Gore, of Nashville, and his sister Mary H. Keeler of Yorba Linda, CA. He leaves several nieces and nephews, as well as his longtime companion, Helen Caughran, all of whom he loved very much.
After graduating from Olive Branch High School, Ray joined the Navy during World War II. He was in the Pacific aboard a mine sweeper, the USS Strive, which was preparing for the invasion of Japan. In 1951, Ray reenlisted into the Navy Reserve as a petty officer second class. He never got called to Korea, but was assigned to training duty in Bainbridge, Md. Ray attended the Southern College of Watchmaking in Memphis from 1949-1950 and Draughon's Business College. From there, he went into the jewelry business and established his first jewelry store, Carter and Lowry Jewelers located in the Dave Dermon Building, downtown Memphis. When his partner retired, Ray moved his jewelry business to Madison Avenue which then became known as Crosstown Jewelers. He later moved his store to Union Avenue where it remained until he transitioned into retirement in the 1990's.
Ray was an original member of the former Underwood United Methodist Church, as well as an Al Chymia Shriner.
Visitation will be on April 27th from 12:30 to 2:00 at the Collierville Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow at Memorial Park Southwoods on Hacks Cross Road.
Memorial can be sent to www.friendsofthesmokies.org or to Page Robbins Adult Day Care in Collierville.
