Aug. 21, 1939 — Jan. 26, 2014

Robert “Dale” Lowry passed peacefully on Jan. 26, 2014, in his home in Davis with family by his side. He was 74.

Dale was born in Portola on Aug. 21, 1939, the only child of Walter J Lowry and Geneva McCarty Lowry. He grew up in Sloat and attended school in Quincy until the age of 16 when, just before his senior year, he and his parents moved to Red Bluff where he graduated from Red Bluff High School in 1957.

Although he never played a round of golf, as a teenager in Sloat Dale rode his Cushman scooter to the Grey Eagle Golf Course where he was a caddy and saved money that his father matched dollar for dollar to allow him to buy his first car, a ’51 Chevy. This became a tradition that Dale and Mona continued with their children and grandchildren.

After moving to Red Bluff, Dale worked at the Flying A gas station and the Corona Box and Lumber Co. He attended Shasta Jr. College for two years where he “excelled in auto shop” courses. He also served six years in the National Guard and Army Reserves.

Dale moved to Sacramento where he worked for John Geere Chevrolet. In 1961, he moved to Davis where he worked for Campus Chevrolet as a body shop repairman and, after one year, became manager of the body shop. It was during this time that he met the love of his life, Ramona Salas. During their first date, they discussed how neither one of them was ready to “get serious” and after dating for just three months, Dale and Ramona were married at the home of Ramona’s parents on Feb. 2, 1963.

In 1969, Dale started his career with State Farm Insurance as an auto damage estimator and claims adjuster. Many of Dale’s former co-workers expressed how much they appreciated Dale’s help and expertise when they, too, started at State Farm. He saw many come and go during his 30-year career. He retired from State Farm in January, 2000.

Over the years, Dale and his family spent many summers traveling and camping at their favorite campground, Lake of the Spring. When they weren’t camping, Dale and Mona were often found sitting out on the front yard of their home on L Street, constantly waving to friends as they honked when driving by. Many would stop and join them for a visit.

Later, they bought their cabin in Tahoe where they spent several years watching their grandchildren play in the snow or explore the woods.

Dale is survived by his loving wife Ramona; daughter Lisa Lowry Garwood and son-in-law Daren Garwood; son Robert “Dale” Lowry II and daughter-in-law Sharon Gradwohl; and grandchildren Shelby, Broderick and Danielle Lowry, and Michael Garwood and Donovan Gradwohl, with a sixth grandchild due in April. Dale is also survived by his caregiver and former daughter-in-law, Denise Heaps; his favorite brother-in-law David Salas (Lucia); sisters-in-law Ernestine Salinas and Alberta Villanueva; several cousins in the Sacramento area; and numerous nieces and nephews

Dale and Ramona were lucky enough to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Feb. 2, 2013. They were surrounded by family and friends during a large celebration at the Davis Senior Center where family will host a “Celebration of Life” at 11 a.m. Sunday Feb. 23. All who knew and loved Dale are welcomed to attend and feel free to share their stories and memories of a fun, loving man.

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