Lary Lower

Lary V. Lower, 60, of Traverse City, MI passed away peacefully on October 22, 2020 surround-ed by loved ones at his home, Rivershire, on the banks of the Boardman River. With positivity and grace, Lary met the challenge of his recent cancer diagnosis head-on and was an inspiration to all who watched his brave battle.

Lary was born to LeRoy and Shirley Lower on September 6, 1960, in Rapid City, SD. He attended T.F. Riggs High School in Pierre, SD. After high school, Lary moved to Phoenix, AZ where he eventually worked as a chef for Hilton. During this time, Lary was hired as a temporary chef for the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. Upon returning to Phoenix, Lary married and started a family. After Lary’s son Matthew was born, the family moved to the Florida Keys. There, along with a business partner, Lary opened a restaurant, Montego Bay. Later, Lary was employed by GameWorks in Homestead, FL and First Watch in Fort Myers, FL, opening several new locations with both companies. On July 10, 2011, Lary moved to Traverse City, eventually working as a line cook at Peegeo’s where he remained employed until April when health issues prevented his continued employment. His Peegeo’s family became very dear to him over the years and Lary’s strong work ethic and generous nature will be missed by all who worked with him there, including the many regulars who got to know him and bought him the occasional beer.

A lifelong Minnesota Vikings fan, Lary could be found watching any available NFL game on football Sundays when not working. Lary was a talented nature photographer and enjoyed long walks with friends and his canine companion, Drover, who Lary adopted from the Cherryland Humane Society. Donations may be made to CHS in Lary’s memory.

In 2019, Lary met Suzanne Boadway of Traverse City and a deep love quickly developed; the two were engaged on February 13, 2020 because Lary was too excited to wait until Valentine’s Day to give her the lovely ring he picked out. Suzanne survives along with Lary’s father LeRoy and stepmother Helen Lower of Tempe, AZ; son Matthew Lower of Foley, AL; sister Lori Low-er (Darwin Bartley) of Tempe, AZ; brother Lynn Lower of Glendale, AZ; stepson Jerry Beall of Sedro-Woolley, WA; nephew Ryan Lower of Farmington, MN; and niece Jennifer Bartley of Mesa, AZ. Lary was preceded in death by his mother, Shirley; sister-in-law Peggy Lower; and beloved companion Bandit the Border Collie who awaits Lary on the Rainbow Bridge, ready to catch Lary’s expertly-thrown flippy once again.

Lary will be dearly missed by many. A Celebration of Life memorial will be held in the near fu-ture with close friends and family. Anyone caring to share memories and condolences may do so on Lary’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/lary.lower). On that same page, a GoFundMe fundraiser has been created by Peegeo’s friends to help defray the family’s expenses. Any contribution is greatly appreciated.

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