Ralph Edward Lowry
Obituary
WICHITA — Ralph Edward Lowry, 82, passed away on Tuesday
(May 22, 2012) of injuries from an automobile accident.
Ralph was retired from his company, Ralph Lowry Aircraft
Sales. He was born on Sept. 15, 1929, to Lynn and Myrtle Lowry. He began flying
at 15, soloing on his 16th birthday and earning his third class license on his
17th.
After attending East High, he went to Wentworth Military
School, Lexington, Mo., where he could have flying school, acrobatic flying and
be in air shows. He graduated from Wentworth before enrolling at Wichita
University. He also was a Tri-State Auto Racing Champion.
Before the airplane business, he joined his father at Lynn
Lowry Motors, at one time a Mercury-Lincoln dealer in McPherson, and then three
used car dealerships in Wichita.
As a teenager, he had ridden his bicycle to Ken-Mar airport
after school to wash planes and do odd jobs in order to have an hour of dual
instruction on Saturdays. The lure of flying and selling airplanes moved him
from cars to sales at Ken-Mar, where he flew to western Kansas every day,
selling single engine Pipers. He became sales manager through transitions to
Midwest Piper Sales Inc.
Ralph was manager of the airport (formerly Wilson Field, now
Jabara Airpark), built a new administration building, enlarged the flying
school and maintenance, and earned his multi-engine rating. Ralph began his own
business in Augusta, and after seeing a need to have his own hanger and shop,
moved to Newton in 1978. He specialized in twin engine executive planes, such
as P-Navajo, Beech King Air, Cessna 421, Aero Commander and others.
Ralph was appointed to the task force to plan an aviation
museum in Wichita, which became Wichita Air Museum. He was awarded many honors,
such as the Piper Dealer Sales Achievement, competing with dealers in a
13-state area. He built a reputation known across America, Italy, Japan,
Australia, Canada and others. If you wanted to know anything about a P-Navajo,
you asked Ralph Lowry. Another dealer remarked, “You know Ralph, we are of the
old school and there just aren’t that many left like us anymore.” These are the
kind of references made about Ralph’s integrity and honesty.
Ralph enjoyed other things in retirement: golf, bridge and
day trading, but nothing was as important to him as his family and continuing
his love to his “sweetie of 64 years.” He has had a wonderful life!
Ralph is survived by: his wife of 64 years, Rosemary, of the
home; children, Kathryn Kay (Floyd) Arrington of Newton and David Eugene Lowry
of Ft. Smith, Ark.; grandchildren, Erica (Erik) Mason of Wichita, Tyler
(Christina) Arrington of Newton and Elizabeth (Jeremy Wallace) Arrington of
Wichita; great-grandchildren, McKenna Luna, Brody Wallace, Brlynne Mason,
Chloe, Colin and Ian Arrington and Destiny Arrington; brother, Eugene L.
(Sarah) Lowry of Kansas City, Mo.; brothers-in-law, Donald (Kay) of Hot
Springs, Ark., Charles (Joyce) of Springdale, Ark., and Malcolm (Melinda) of
Hot Springs, Ark.; and special family member, William Schultz.
There will be a memorial service at 10 a.m. Saturday (May
26, 2012) at First United Methodist Church, 330 N. Broadway in Wichita.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with:
First United Methodist Church, TV Ministry, 330 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS 67202
and Youthville, 4505 E. 47th St., Wichita, KS 67210. To sign a guest book or
leave a condolence for the family, go to www.cochranmortuary.com.
