William Loper Lowry

59, unexpectedly passed away Sunday July 23, 2017, in Gainesville, FL when his great and valiant heart gave out. He was born December 31, 1957 at Tampa General Hospital. He attended Dale Mabry Elementary, and St. Mary’s Day School, where his patient teacher allowed his devoted German Sheppard to wait outside the room because nothing could keep her from going to school. He was bussed to Blake-Just 7th Grade Center, went to Wilson Junior High School and H.B. Plant High School. He graduated from Santa Fe College, and was a Gator fan through and through. Prior to college Loper entered the U.S. Navy and spent his adult life on active or reserve duty, serving in posts all over the globe. In his professional life he was a small business computer consultant and later owned and operated Automated Pre-Sort Services in Tampa. Called back to active duty, he served in Helmand Province, Afghanistan as a combat hospital corpsman embedded with the U.S. Marines. Upon his discharge, “Doc” returned to college then pursued his passion and began his healthcare career with Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, Gainesville, FL. He was preceded in death by his father, Jerome B “Jack” Lowry. He is survived by his mother Nancy Eaton Honeycutt; his step-mother Jane Lowry, his 6 wonderful children Ashley Guimarães (Lucho), Stephanie, Phillip, Connor (Anne), Pierce (Melina) and Madison Lowry; sisters Catherine Straz (David) and Nancy Thomas; 2 delightful grandchildren, Brynlee Hart and Lucca Guimarães, and anticipated granddaughter Aurora Kay this fall. He also leaves behind loving nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends. All his days, Loper had an exuberant zest for living and freely shared his mirth with others. He was an outdoorsman, a patriot, and a man of great faith. We have no doubt Heaven just became a little more fun. Loper cared for many worthy causes but Service Men & Women and Veterans were especially dear to him. If you would like to remember him with a donation, may we suggest the USO, the Wounded Warrior Foundation or your favorite charity. After private services, the family invites friends to celebrate his life on Sunday August 6th from 5-7pm at Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club. Arrangements handled by Blount & Curry MacDill, 813-876-2421. "Let me square the yards, while we may, old man, and make a fair wind of it homeward."