UPDATE: Former Fulton Commissioner Tom Lowe Dies

Sign up for the Sandy Springs Patch newsletter!

Former District 4 Fulton County Commissioner Tom Lowe has passed away.

Fulton County officials confirmed the news Friday morning in a statement issued by County Commission Chairman John Eaves.

Lowe, 86, the longest serving commissioner in Fulton County’s history, represented North Fulton residents for four decades, Eaves stated.

“Even beyond the community he served, he believed in this county and its people,” Eaves added. “That belief was why he insisted on attending every regular meeting, more than 4 hundred in all, regardless of his own physical condition on any given meeting day. That belief was why remained one of the staunchest supporters of Grady Memorial Hospital and of growth in all parts of Fulton. He served on the Atlanta-Fulton County Water Resources Commission, Atlanta-Fulton County Library Board of Trustees, Atlanta-Fulton County Recreation Authority, and the Fulton County Pension Board. Tom also fought for the development of the Chattahoochee Nature Center into one of our county’s greatest resources.

“Despite all that he achieved in public life, Tom was proudest of his family. On the occasion of his retirement from public service last year, Tom told the board that he made that difficult decision to spend more time with his family. It is for that reason; that I especially want to send my personal condolences and prayers to Tom’s wife Bettye, their children, and grandchildren.”

Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul echoed Eaves’ sentiments, adding Lowe’s contributions will ”long be felt” in Fulton County.

“Tom was a dedicated public servant who supported county and its people with his own brand of passion,” he said. “He will long be remembered for his support of the Chattahoochee Nature Center, one of our city’s and the county’s greatest natural resources. Our thoughts and prayers go to his wife, Bettye, and family, whom above all else, Tom always talked about with the utmost pride.”

Lowe was first elected in 1974. In February 2014, Lowe chose not to seek re-election to the seat, which at the time covered Sandy Springs, Buckhead and a portion of Roswell.

The district was redrawn and renamed as District 3. Along with Sandy Springs and Buckhead, the seat now includes a portion of Midtown north of 10th Street.

More from Fulton County about Lowe’s life and career:

A world-class skeet shooter and member of the National Skeet Shooting Association All-American Team, Senior Division, Lowe was instrumental in the development of the county’s Wolf Creek Skeet and Trap Range, which was the site of the 1996 Olympic shooting competition. The Tom Lowe Shooting Grounds was named in his honor.

After graduating from Auburn University with a degree in civil engineering, Commissioner Lowe worked in heavy construction of highways, railroads and earth-filled dams. In 1957, he organized Lowe Engineers Inc., which is still involved in the planning, design and supervision of construction of civil engineering projects throughout the southeast. After retiring from his company, Lowe developed commercial and industrial properties in metro Atlanta.

The Tom and Bettye Lowe Lobby and Grand Foyer at Auburn University’s Shelby Center for Engineering Technology was named in recognition of the Lowes’ generous support of the Samuel Ginn School of Engineering.

Lowe leaves behind his wife, Bettye, his sons Tim and Scott Lowe of Atlanta, daughter Kathryn Blackburn of Auburn, Alabama, and his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter Cyndi Lowe Bender.

Photo credit: Fulton County