James Johnny "Jim" Lowery, age 86 of Ellijay, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 3rd, 2024 at the Parkside Ellijay Nursing Home.

Jim was the second oldest of five children born in Frey, Ga to Wesley and Ruth Lowery. He would often share childhood stories of plowing the fields by mule, walking long distances in the snow to get to school and his mother's black walnut cake. From an early age he was hardworking, determined and persistent. He left school at seventeen, the long walks in the snow may have played a part in that decision but more likely he was just eager for adventure and chose the military as his path.

Jim excelled in the Air Force becoming a security specialist and a competitive marksman assigned to the inspector general's (I.G.) team. He quickly acquired the rank of Master Sergeant, the youngest to hold that rank at his time of service. He went on to complete cross training into the Special Services field which gave him the skills to later become a successful restauranteur. He spent twenty years in the military with deployments to Turkey, Germany and Thailand and was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for his service.

Retiring from the Air Force in 1974, he spent three years as general manager for a Hardees franchise growing the business from two to twelve restaurants in the East Tennessee region. These accomplishments motivated him to return to his home town and start his own restaurant business.

In 1978 he opened the first of several restaurants in Blue Ridge, Georgia later expanding into North Carolina and Tennessee. He loved nothing more than chatting with customers and was known for making some of the most delicious biscuits and fried chicken in these parts. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone who hasn't heard of, worked for or eaten at one of his restaurants. He would continue to own and run his business with much success until his health began to fail.

Jim loved life, his family and connecting with others. Whether it was his military, local or even his more recent assisted living community, he thoroughly enjoyed people. If you had a problem, he wanted to help you solve it and prayer was usually involved. He joined Hipps Chapel Methodist Church in 2008 and gained yet another extended "family" to love and care for. Singing with the choir and cooking breakfast for the congregation on special holidays, brought him great joy.

Over the last ten years, Jim's most constant and loyal companion was his little pug named Ellie. She, too, was partial to ice cream and they could often be seen at the Dairy Queen drive thru getting a cone.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Betty Postelle and Sue Bell.

Survivors include two sons, John (Amy) Lowery and Michael (John) Lowery; daughter and son-in-law, Brenda (Chuck) Fulp; brother and sister-in-law, Harold (Virginia) Lowery; sister, Alma Ross; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews along with many dear friends.

A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 pm on Sunday, April 14th, 2024, at Hipps Chapel located at 7212 Hwy 2 in Epworth, GA 30541.

Funeral Services will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, April 15th, 2024, from the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to one of Jim's favorite causes: Hipps Chapel Methodist Church, The Wounded Warrior Project, Shriners Hospitals for Children or the Humane Society of Blue Ridge.

Bernhardt Funeral Home of Ellijay is entrusted with these arrangements.