Donald Raymond Lowrance, a retired teacher, principal and active member of the Clatskanie, Oregon community, died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, October 24, at the Gold Beach Island Elder Care Home. He was 79 years old and had been a resident of Vashon for the past year.

A third generation Oregonian, Mr. Lowrance was born September 28, 1936 in Cottage Grove, to Raymond Clyde Lowrance and Rosa Mary (Gindhart) Lowrance. The younger of two children, he grew up in Junction City, and graduated from JC High School where he excelled in basketball, played trombone in the band and participated with Future Farmers of America youth programs.

He continued his education at Southern Oregon College earning a teaching degree and graduating cum laude. He met his wife Natalie Joyce MacDougall while intern teaching at Ashland Junior High School and they were married in Medford on June 2, 1958. Donald served two years in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany, and moved to Clatskanie in the fall of 1960.

Mr. Lowrance taught high school Biology and coached basketball and cross-country teams from 1960-1975 at Clatskanie High School. From 1975 to 1992 he served as principal at Clatskanie and Knappa high schools. He retired in 1992 and was honored that summer as co-Grand Marshal for the Clatskanie Heritage Day celebration along with his long-time friend Ron Puzey.

Mr. Lowrance was an active member of the Clatskanie Presbyterian Church and Kiwanis Club. After retirement, he coached several grade school basketball teams and mentored high school seniors to help them prepare for college exams. He treasured his time tending his vegetable and flower gardens, including a garden for the Presbyterian Church with the produce benefiting low-income families in the community. He also enjoyed fishing in the Clatskanie and Columbia rivers, hunting deer, elk and antelope, and backpacking with his family throughout the state of Oregon and Washington.

He is survived by his daughter Lori Lowrance of Vashon Island, his son Jon Lowrance of Astoria; five grandchildren: Evan, Logan, Courage, Loyal and Faith, and his elder sister, Morene Condon, of Gladstone. His wife, Natalie, preceded him in death on October 14, 2006.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 21, at noon at the Clatskanie Presbyterian Church with Pastor Eric Huget officiating. Memorials are suggested to: Clatskanie Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 448, Clatskanie, OR 97016 or the Clatskanie Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 243, Clatskanie, OR 97016.

Please visit our online guest book at www.islandfuneral.com

Paid Obituary.