D. Butch Lowery

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D. Butch Lowery was born to Barbara J. and Raymond G. Lowery Oct. 24, 1954, in Longview. The family later moved to Mossyrock, where Butch graduated from high school. He started life as “a shy little guy” (his words.) By the time he left school, he’d grown into the semi-mythic “Caveman,” a nickname that stuck with him throughout his life.

Butch was big and strong and had a passion for cars. He was an excellent driver and a gifted, meticulous mechanic. His big dream was to be a wrench on the IndyCar circuit. Instead, he worked the sawmills, becoming a saw filer alongside his dad, Ray. He stuck by his family. He worked hard and played (and fought) harder. Oh, the stories he could tell.

That was, up until the day he was the victim of a terrible accident while inside an edger. It nearly took his foot and his life. Tragically, he later suffered further permanent injury from a botched surgery on his back.

Butch’s life was changed forever. Try as he might, he could not do the things he loved.  He found other interests. He was the #1 supporter of Chef Tony and Parker’s Steakhouse. He had a lifelong love of rock-n-roll: Clapton, C,S &N, Zeppelin and Seger. He loved his OPB, Charlie Rose and endless documentaries. He was an avid reader, mostly biographies and history. He was highly political and would pontificate at length (largely on the phone, which was his lifeline).

But it was a solitary, sedentary life. Butch suffered from depression and was tormented by persistent insomnia for years. It took a great toll on his body and mind. Ironically, he was found in bed, alone in the house he had inhabited for 20 years. Congestive heart failure had blessedly sent him to his final rest.

Sleep in peace, Caveman.