Fred Merrill Lowery, 84, of Fayetteville, Georgia, passed away on March 16, 2013 at Doctor’s Hospice in Riverdale, Ga.

Merrill was born on May 2, 1928, in Ranburne, Alabama.  He is the son of Orbie Frank Lowery and Ruth Adams Lowery, both deceased. 

Merrill was a self-made business man, beginning his career while he was attending high school at Ranburne. His Uncle, Virge Lowery, would purchase knives for him on trips to Atlanta that Merrill would later sell to fellow classmates for a profit. After graduating he began trading cars, in Ranburne, Ala., and Carrollton, Ga. He later moved to Forest Park, Ga., where he was the owner of Lowery Sales Company and employed both of his sons, Jim and Tim, his wife, June, and later his daughter-in-law, Susan. He took great pride in going to his office every day until his illness began in May 2012. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Ranburne and continued to drive from his home in Fayetteville, Ga., to attend services. His last attendance was on Mother’s Day, May 13, 2012.  During his illness, he longed to go back to his home, Ranburne.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, June Traylor Lowery; two sons, Jim Frank Lowery and wife, Wanda; Tim Merrill Lowery and wife, Susan; a grandson, Brandon Lowery; granddaughter, Samantha Wilt; a sister, Jean Lowery Hanson and husband, Ambers; one brother, Ray Talton Lowery; nieces, Vickie Lynn Hanson, Teresa Lowery Datka, Allyson Barr Walker, and Elizabeth Barr Clayton; nephews, Julian Mark Jones, Scott Everett Hanson, Steve Wayne Jones, Kenneth Ray Lowery and Jeff Barr; and his long-time friend, Ray Baughn. 

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Shirley Lowery Howle and her infant son, and Audrey Lowery Jones. 

Visitation will be held Monday, March 18, 2013, at Rainwater Funeral Home in Bowdon, Ga., at 10 a.m. EST until 11:30 am. 

Funeral services will begin at 12 noon EST at First Baptist Church of Ranburne, Ala., with Rev. James Benefield and Rev. Jerome Mitchell officiating.  Pallbearers will be Scott Hanson, Steve Jones, Jeff Barr, Mack Lowery, Owen Lowery, Ron Bishop, Ken Archer, Terry Butler, and honorary ballbearer, Mark Jones. Burial will follow in the Lowery Family Plot at Ranburne First Baptist Church Cemetery, Ranburne, Ala.

 In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations to Doctor’s Hospice of Georgia, 34 Upper Riverdale Road, Riverdale, GA  30274.

Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.rainwaterfuneralhome.com.

Rainwater Funeral Home, Bowdon.