James Edward Lowry

A Time to Be Born and Born Again

James Edward Lowry was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to the late Mamie (Muldrow) and Henry Lowry. He is preceded in death by his brother Clifton. After being baptized at Mt. Zion in Lockland at an early age, he was reared in a home where church, education, discipline, and accountability were stressed.

A Time to Learn

In graduating from DePorres High School as valedictorian of the Class of 1959, he received an athletic and academic scholarship to Xavier University. There he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. He is featured in the 1975-76 edition of Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges. This award is given to students for their outstanding scholastic and community achievements. Students are selected for their academic ability and accomplishments, for their participation in activities, for the leadership that they demonstrated, for their good citizenship, for their service to the university, and their potential for future achievement.

A Time to Serve in the Civil Rights Movement

There are some people who talk about fighting for equal rights. On the other hand, there are others who are actually on the front line of the fight. James was one of the latter. He worked with such Civil Rights giants as Fannie Lou Hamer, Jesse Jackson, Andrew Young, Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, Jr. and Nikki Giovanni.

The National Civil Rights organizations in which he was active are the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), Freedom Democratic Party, and People United to Serve Humanity (PUSH). Locally, he served on the Board of Directors of the Community Action Committee (CAC). His work in these organizations, and his Friendship for Community organization ranged from feeding the hungry, to voter registration, to Freedom Marches, to urban renewal projects, to special needs for residents in nursing homes. While being recognized for his work was the furthest thing from his mind, others saw fit to acknowledge the outstanding quality of his work. A few of the many awards are: the Medgar Edgars Memorial Fund, Outstanding Contributions to the New State Defense Procurement Program, Feed the Hungry Campaign in the Mississippi Delta Region, and the WCIN Image Maker Award.

A Time to Work

The fact that he earned recognition in Who’s Who in Black America in Business is testament to the quality of his work ethic. At age 29, he was elected Mayor of Lincoln Heights, becoming one of the youngest African American Mayors in the country. He worked at the Glendale and Oakley Post Offices for a while. After his father got him an entry level job at the General Electric Aircraft Plant, his commitment to excellence resulted in him getting numerous promotions until he became Section Chief responsible for 200,000 employees in seven states for

GE’s Aircraft Engine Group Management and Development Program. He often expressed gratitude to his mentor, Edwin Robinson, Sr.

A Time to Relax

An academically gifted student who graduated class valedictorian, he loved sports. At DePorres High School, he played basketball, ran track and excelled in football, earning an athletic/academic scholarship to Xavier University (Yes back in the day, Xavier University did have a football team). There, he started as

running back until an injury sidelined him. He was also given an opportunity to play short-stop with the Cincinnati Reds farm team. Now we know why, after retirement, he had sea-son tickets to the Bengals and the Reds games. He also loved to travel, and once retired, he and his wife, Karen would-annually-usually treat their moms and a couple of family and/or friends to a free vacation.

A Time to Share

His work with so many Civil Rights organizations was complemented by numerous charitable projects initiated by him and his wife, Karen. They are included, but not limited to his contribution of his time and money to individuals who needed financial assistance, to delivering food to shut ins, to visiting the sick in hospitals and in their homes, to bringing words of encouragement to cancer patients. His Christian based foundation provided assistance to individuals, families and organizations.

A Time to Enter into God’s Kingdom

He has gone on to be with his mom Mamie, dad Henry, son Kevin, and sisters Karen and Christine (Willie Williams). He is survived by his loving and devoted wife Karen, his siblings David Dawson, Dwayne Lowry (Marie), Rodney Lowry (Charon) and Sharon Lowry; three grandchildren and three great-grand-children; brothers-in-law Walter S. Williams, Jr. and Adrian S. Scott Williams, Sr. (Janis); his godson James Hardy III; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

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