Obituary - James Michael Lowry

Suddenly, on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2013. James Michael Lowry of Plum Boro passed away.

Jim was the son of Ferdinand C. Lowry of Oakmont and the late Ethel Connors Lowry.

The former owner of gas stations in Penn Hills and an Oakmont towing company, Jim was a Port Authority bus driver for 12 years.  He was the sunny middle child whose wit made his parents and siblings, and later his wife and children, laugh (or groan).  A stalwart son and unfailingly generous brother, he was a father who taught his children how to change their own brakes and to call him in the middle of the night if they needed any kind of help; a grandfather who taught his grandchildren to love without restraint and never turned down a babysitting opportunity; a cousin who was the life of every family reunion, with his poker tournament and outrageous poker-print shorts. A faithful husband and a big man with a big heart, he was to his family the light in times of darkness.  As one of his 16 first cousins put it, he was a character and a man of character.

Jim, who was 62, is survived by his wife, Cindy Lowry of five years; daughters, Caryn (William) Scott of Monaca, Lisa (Daniel) Lukaszewick of Greenfield, Christy Lowry of Monaca, Jessie (Max Justus) Psalzgraf of North Hills, Michelle (Nathan) Leya of Creighton, and Stacey Pfalzgraf of Verona; son, James Lowry, Jr. of Carnegie; 11 grandchildren; brother, John C. (Jean Albert) Lowry of Shaler Township; sister, Patricia M. Lowry of Shadyside; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Friends and relatives will be received at the BURKET-TRUBY FUNERAL HOME CREMATION & ALTERNATIVE SERVICES, INC., 421 Allegheny Ave., Oakmont on Thursday, September 19, 2013 from 6-9 p.m. and Friday, September 20, 2013 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m.  A service will be held Saturday, September 21, 2013, 11 a.m., at the funeral home.

The family suggests memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association , 100 W. Station Square Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

Visit us online at: www.burket-truby.com