John Cathcart Lowry (Jack), Born June 27, 1932, Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Horticulturist and plant salesman extraordinaire spent 69 of his 87 years living a life full of work-related travel, friendship and gardening in Baltimore County. He was known for his nationwide nursery industry connections, his passion for plants and his collection of elegant and perfectly restored, antique vehicles.
Jack is survived by his three children, Kim, Jack and Nancy, their spouses and four adult grandchildren Geoffrey, Megan, Alex and Erin.
Born in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, Jack was the son of William Fleming Lowry Jr., salesman at the American Car and Foundry and Martha Ryan Lowry, a nationally recognized floral designer and author of the book Floral Art for America.
With a brief hiatus serving the military in the Korean War, Jack graduated from the Pennsylvania State University, 1958, with a degree in Horticulture. He entered the working world as a horticulturist and garden designer for Towson Nurseries located in Cockeysville. Trees providing shade in parts of greater Baltimore can still be found from his time spent designing and installing gardens.
Jack and his recently deceased wife, Jean, began their nursery business in 1964. Jack spent his lifelong career as president, owner operator of Lowry and Company, Inc., collectors and purveyors of fine trees, plants and horticultural products for garden centers, landscape firms and horticultural distribution centers.
Jack’s successful career as a nursery representative was built brokering nursery materials from the Northwest, the South, the Midwest and the Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. He supplied plant materials to hundreds of garden centers, nurseries and wholesale distribution centers in the Mid-Atlantic region. His knowledge and sales savvy techniques enabled many small boutique growers of exceptional plants to gain a foothold with a wider audience. Jack’s connectivity skills helped their businesses grow and prosper. He put little known, good horticultural growers ‘on the map’. With his many horticultural connections he had the ability to locate and deliver interesting plants in exceptional sizes for special garden or landscape projects.
Jack was an icon in the nursery industry with a reputation from east to west. With his honesty, integrity, interpersonal skills, a firm handshake and a big ‘upside down’ smile he built longtime business relationships that morphed into lifelong friendships.
After hours Jack didn’t stop working for the industry. He strived to promote horticulture, the independent garden center and the garden-passionate homeowner thru his volunteer efforts serving on various professional boards. He was instrumental in helping to kick start the Mid Atlantic Nurseryman’s Trade Show (MANTS), the largest nursery trade show of its kind that will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary January 2020.
Jack was passionate about collecting, restoring and showing antique cars: Cadillac limousines, Lincoln Zephyrs, Thunderbirds, Mercedes Benz and more were part of his beautiful classic car collection that he enjoyed over his lifetime.
1955-56 Served in the Korean War
1958 BS Horticulture, Pennsylvania State University
1964 After managing a garden center in Baltimore he set out on his own and began Lowry & Company, Inc. a plant and horticultural products brokerage firm; still in operation after 55 years.
1967 -71 Board of Directors, Maryland Nurseryman’s Association
1970-71 President, two terms, Maryland Nurseryman’s Association
1972 Vice Chairman, American Association of Nurserymen,
National Convention, Washington DC
1974-79 Board of Directors, Mid Atlantic Nurseryman’s Trade Show
1977 President, Mid-Atlantic Nurseryman’s Trade Show
197? Board of Directors, Lincoln Zephyr Club
1978 Collaborated in the inception of RE- wholesale distribution center Manor View Farm
1984 Professional Achievement Award, Maryland Nurseryman’s Association
1984-85 Board of Directors, Landscape Contractors Association, Metropolitan Washington
1995-2002 Greens Committee, Hillendale Country Club, he was instrumental in designing, implementing and coaching the maintenance of the grounds surrounding the clubhouse after it was rebuilt in 1993
2008-10 Board of Directors, The American Horticulture Society, one of the oldest national gardening organizations in the US
Jack enjoyed a good round of golf participating regularly in the Men’s Weekly Twilight series for over twenty years at Hillendale Country Club, Phoenix.
Jack passed away in his home surrounded by his beautiful garden after a brief hospital stay. His Lung Cancer progressed at a rapid rate. While he was missing Jean terribly, his desire for life was strong. His sense of humor still witty until the end, his horticultural advice and requests still as savvy and demanding as ever, his memory sharp of moments shared with lifelong friends, and his appetite for delicious food still active.
Be happy that he was in his home, Hummingbirds sipping just a few feet away, his elegant fancy leaved begonia collection adjacent, the songbirds feeding between him and a wonderful view of his amazing garden. With the morning sun filtering thru the open patio door and the cicadas singing their summer songs, he gently went to meet the love of his life again. It could not have been more peaceful.
The family will receive friends in Chestnut Grove Presbyterian Church, 3701 Sweet Air Road, Phoenix, MD 21131 on Saturday, August 10, 12noon to 1:30pm with a Celebration of Jack’s life beginning at 1:30pm. Reception to follow 2:45pm to 5:00pm in the Lowry Garden with light food and refreshments.
Interment Private.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Ladew Gardens, ATTN: Jack Lowry Memorial Fund, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD 21111.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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