University of Georgia Athletics
UGAA Saddened by Loss of Jay Lowe
November 25, 2015 | General
The staff of the Georgia Athletic Association remains in shock over the sudden and inexplicable death of Joseph Ernest Lowe IV, a member of the Development staff. Jay Lowe, as he was widely known, had just taken an opportunity to become the major gifts officer for the College of Pharmacy.
One day he is running in a 5K race, two days later there was a mysterious invasion of his body by a strange illness which caused his internal organs to break down, flummoxing and exasperating doctors and the Athens Reginal Medical staff. His condition worsened by the hour and eventually evolved into a coma and subsequent death.
Athletic Director Greg McGarity was among the many Georgia graduates who were shocked with the news about Jay Lowe. "Jay did a nice job for us and I am sure he would have been an asset to the Pharmacy School," McGarity said. "He had an ability to connect with people and donors. His work enhanced our fund raising objectives considerably. We will miss him and are grateful for his many contributions to our program while he worked in our Development Office."
"We are all still reeling," said Mark Slonaker, Executive Director of Athletics Alumni Relations and one who worked closely with him for the last five years. "He was a devoted family man to his wife, Courtney, and young daughters Arabelle and Emery. He was also a devoted Bulldog who made a fine contribution to our various fundraising campaigns. He was a valuable member of our staff."
Jay Lowe had a tight but generous smile, a neatly trimmed beard and wore glasses. He had a distinct professorial look. His friends enjoyed his multiplicity of interests—from outdoor activities and exercises to art to music. He was a dapper dresser and had a deep rooted love of the Toronto Blue Jays. He took great delight in spending time at Turner Field when inter-league baseball brought Toronto to Atlanta. (He had gone to a card show as a kid and purchased an Albert Bell Blue Jays' card, linking him with the Blue Jays for life.)
A funny thing happened to Jay Lowe in 2004 while he was working at Vanderbilt. He met Courtney Alexander and was understandably smitten.
She was enrolled at Georgia, and her roommate was Melanie Hammond. Their lives would continue to become intertwined. She and Jay were married and introduced Melanie to Jay Lowe's associate with the Bulldog Club, Patrick Gray, who was a native of Toronto. Jay and Courtney organized a "tacky sweater" party for some of their friends with the scheme to become matchmakers with Patrick and Melanie. It worked. Melanie and Patrick hit it off. Now, you know the rest of the story.
Next thing you know Melanie and Patrick are moving into matrimony which meant that the baseball season took on a new meaning. Jay Lowe and Patrick became birds of a feather—along with Courtney and Melanie—when it came to following the Blue Jays.
"I had the good fortune of knowing Jay Lowe for a little more than five years," Patrick, now a member of the Development staff at the University of Michigan, says. "We began as co-workers and ended great friends. Jay never met a stranger, and I could tell that from day one. During my interview with UGA we quickly bonded over our love for the Toronto Blue Jays and upon accepting the position in Athens, Jay and Courtney took me into their home for a week. He was the type of person who would drop everything to help a friend and later in life would drop everything to care for his two daughters.
"Jay was a man of integrity, humility and whose love for Georgia was only surpassed by his love for his wife, Courtney. As he became ill recently, it amazed me how friends and colleagues from all over the country rallied behind him. Jay made an impact in all of his stops during his Intercollegiate Athletics career.
"While our paths recently took both of us away from the UGA Athletic Association, we kept in touch daily and Jay was excited about his new career on campus in the School of Pharmacy," Patrick continued. "I'm confident that in a short amount of time, he was making a great impact.
"I know that Jay will not be forgotten as he left a lasting legacy with everyone he met. Courtney will have countless stories and pictures to share with the girls of their unbelievable Dad. I look forward to sharing my own with them when Melanie and I visit Georgia. "While I didn't have a chance to say goodbye, I know that Jay will continue to be with me and everyone else he came across in his 38 years on earth. He was a Damn Good Dawg and close friend. He will be greatly missed."
Two of Georgia's most dedicated friends are Carl Parks and his wife Barb who seldom miss an athletic event on campus. They became friends with Jay and Courtney as soon as the Parks settled in Athens. "Barb and I were blessed to be a part of the extended family that received every ounce of Jay's enormous capacity to love and serve," Carl Says. "We knew Jay first as a dependable Bulldog Club ambassador who had the advice and guidance we needed to make informed decisions about how best to support the UGAA. He always came through for us no matter the request. He went the extra mile because he cared for us and everyone who supported the Dawgs. Beyond that, in all my years, I've never seen anyone who more obviously loved and cared for his wife and children. That was Jay, a truly special person whose legacy will live on through all who were fortunate enough to be part of his life."
While earning an undergraduate degree in journalism, Jay worked in the sports information for Claude Felton who found him to be very capable with an abundance of enterprise and enthusiasm. "One of the most satisfying things about having students work in our office is watching them grow up, find a career path and become a success in whatever they choose to do," Claude says. "Jay came to us as a soccer fan who also liked wrestling, with hair a little long, and a band that played on weekends—not the typical student assistant. But we thought he had the right stuff. And he did."
Later, Jay Lowe joined Lewis Gainey in Event Management. "I was happy Claude Felton recommended Jay Lowe to us. He was a tireless worker," Gainey said. "He could manage any situation which came up and was never reluctant to take on problems. He did not back away from a challenge and was a very good PR person for the Athletic Association. I enjoyed my association with him and was happy to see him return to work in our development office following the gaining of experience at other colleges."
Sometimes devoted graduates have trouble breaking the link with their alma mater. Jay Lowe foresaw that experience at other campuses might heighten his opportunity to return to Athens which is the way it worked out. He spent time at Wake Forest, which was attractive for him in that he grew up in Winston Salem. He then moved on to Northern Illinois, Vanderbilt and Miami of Ohio.
Jay Lowe had already gained several commitments for the forthcoming Indoor Practice facility for the Bulldogs, but was eager to head up the major gifts committee for the Pharmacy school. A young man, with a deep love of alma mater, Jay Lowe had a bright future ahead of him when he was, figuratively speaking, cut down by a stray bullet.
A scholarship fund has been set up for Jay Lowe's daughters. Those wishing to contribute should visit: http://www.gofundme.com/kvb9ukhg
