John “Jack” Edward Lowney passed away at age 72 on May 17, 2021. He was born in Anaconda on December 20, 1948. He is survived by his daughter Natalie (Rick) Long of Littleton, Colorado and his son, Matthew (Cori) Lowney of Portland, Oregon; sister, Jeanne Lowney of Anaconda, and brother William “Bill” (Karen) Lowney of Missoula; and wonderful grandchildren and great-grandchildren; Cecilia (Kaitlyn and Austyn) Lowney, Darien (Ember and Roman) Lowney, and Sarah and Chloe Long; and countless loving family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Lucile, his brother Jim, and his son Christopher.
Jack grew up in Anaconda, attended Saint Joseph Grade School, Anaconda Central High School and Carroll College in Helena. He had a love for sports from an early age, with endless basketball games with neighborhood kids. Jack played basketball and football for Anaconda Central and went on to play basketball for the Carroll College Fighting Saints. As he got older, it turned into countless games in the alley with his children or watching games on television.
After moving to Helena with his family, Jack had a long career in Montana state government, mainly in departments of public health and families. With over 20 years of service, culminating as a bureau chief at the Department of Public Health and Human Services, he had many colleagues that touched his life.
Family genealogy and Montana history gave Jack a lot of happiness; with countless hours spent looking through archives, having conversations with many extended family members and documenting the Lowney and Maillet lineage back to the 1600’s. He took great pride in his Montana roots and our families rich history in Anaconda and Butte.
Reducing our dad, our brother, our grandpa down to a few highlights gives you a glimpse into the life we shared with him. Mainly, however, he was a loving guy that enjoyed the simpler things in life. He always loved going to get a cold Coke and a burger or sitting down to watch a ball game or the corniest of jokes. He will be so very missed.
A memorial celebration will be held this Friday, May 21st at 1 p.m. at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N Montana Ave. in Helena. A reception will follow the service in the social hall of the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” – Dr. Suess
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
1:00 p.m.
Friday May 21, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Memorial Service
Friday May 21, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
1:00 p.m.
Friday May 21, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Memorial Service
Friday May 21, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
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Mary Kay Bennett says
I always liked the Lowney family.
And, to lose a sibling is really sad. I am so sorry.
Hope to see everyone on Friday.
Mary Kay Fabich Bennett
Jack Haffey says
Susan and I are saddened to learn about Jack’s death.
Jack has a place in our memory as a kind and genuine person, friend and excellent competitor – especially on the basketball courts and at the baskets on garages in the alleys in Anaconda.
We also know he was a bright and capable employee in Montana state government. Jack, as is true about his brothers, his sister Jeanne, his parents and surely must be true about his own children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, is a person we are grateful to know – a friend.
Rick Long says
I am very sorry to not be at your side Natalie, but our Chloe is far too affected to be there in person so I will stay with her here in Denver. Please let everyone know how sorry I am to miss this service and how much Jack meant to me. My love to everyone there.
Patsy Mills says
I am so sorry for your loss. Jack was my supervisor for several years in state government. We loved Jack as our “boss”. Jack was not only a wonderful supervisor, but a friend. Jack’s sense of humor was valued in our work place. He gave us opportunities for career choices, and most of all to succeed in our careers. His knowledge and abilities to share with us was invaluable. Rest in Peace our dear friend. You will be missed.
Patrick Dowdall says
I was shocked to hear of the news from Jack Oberweiser. Jack and I played together for the Anaconda Saints (I was a year older). While I have lived away from Montana since college, I occasionally ran into him in Missoula when I was visiting my mother. spoke to him on the phone a couple of times. Very sad news.
Mike Billings says
Jack was a coworker of mine for several years at The Montana State Department of Public Health and Human Services, and he was a brilliant contributor to the programs we shared. Our successes– and they were many–were greatly facilitated by Jack’s efforts. I am saddened by his passing. Mike Billings
Jerry O’Reilly says
One of my roommates at Carroll. A great
guy!
Loretta McIsaac says
My memories go back to being 6 yrs old and moving to Willow St. Jack lived around the corner on 5th. So we grew up as neighbors, grade school and high school classmates. It is sad to know he is gone. Rest in peace, Jack. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Jeanne, Bill & Karen. We will be watching his service. God Bless. Love Tom & Loretta McIsaac.
Mary Bridgid Harlan says
I remember Jack as a brilliant kind schoolmates. I know he had a big heart and did a lot of great things in his life. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
Kathleen Hamill says
Lowney Family, l am so sorry to hear about Jacks death. We always enjoyed running in to him, always a pleasant friendly guy with a great outlook. Rest in peace, Jack.
Brad Simshaw says
I shared an office with Jack for two years or so in the late 80s. It was a short time but a long enough period to know that Jack was a great worker and an even greater person. He was a genuinely decent, kind and caring man. Even though it was a short period that I knew Jack I have found that I tend to think of him more often than most others that I have worked with. I am glad to have met him and to have shared time with him.
Sandra Lowney says
Jack and I were married in 2006. I remember him as a very good man; I was so proud to be his wife. His family was always very good to me. Kind and accepting. We didnt always live together, but we remained good friends. He always had a kind word or silly remark to share. I remember his friends referring to him as brilliant. I think that may have suited him just fine.
James Christopher Lowney says
My uncle was the first to get me into computers before they even were a household item. I remember him quite well as always trying to set up a solar water heater or doing some new inventive thing. He was a smart guy always debating any thoughts you had till you clarified them perfectly. And he was a corny joke teller. From having the same birthday with him, I will always remember him very fondly. James Christopher Lowney
Cathy Driscoll Downey says
My condolences to the Lowney family. Jack was a great guy. I remember his quiet way and wonderful sense of humor throughout our high school days. You are in my prayers.
Cathy Driscoll Downey
Rob Dickey says
I played basketball against Jack since 8th grade through high school. We always guarded each other. We were rivals and became friends at Carrol College. He was a good man and I respected him.
Tony Laughlin says
Knew Jack at Bryan School playing basketball on weekends. He was a kind, thoughtful person with a great jump shot.
Marc Racicot says
There was not a thing to dislike about Jack Lowney. A more decent and honorable man I’ve never known. We first met on a basketball court in 1966 when Libby High School and Anaconda Central faced off against each other. Thereafter, when we were both at Carroll College, Jack and I played together. He was a was an excellent basketball player, but he was most importantly a wonderful friend. His presence made the world a kinder and more thoughtful place.
Maureen Therese Doubek says
Jack was a nice guy when I dated Chris. He was gentle and kind to Chris. I knew he was always going to visit his kids…they meant the world to him. I remember serving bacon and eggs everyday at the Red Roof Cafe. I got to know him better during that time. May God bless him and his family.