Myron Lowery facts for kids

Myron Lowery (December 26, 1946 – September 2025) was an American politician. He served as the interim mayor of Memphis, Tennessee, from July 31, 2009, to October 26, 2009. An interim mayor steps in temporarily when the previous mayor leaves office.

Before becoming mayor, Lowery was a well-known television news anchor for WMC-TV 5 in Memphis. He also served on the Memphis City Council starting in 1991. He became interim mayor after Mayor W. W. Herenton retired. Lowery ran for mayor in a special election on October 15, 2009, but A C Wharton won the election. Myron Lowery's death was announced on September 28, 2025.

Myron Lowery: A Public Servant

Myron Lowery was a dedicated public servant and a familiar face in Memphis. He worked to make his community better through various roles in government and local organizations.

Early Life and Education

Myron Lowery was born on December 26, 1946, in Columbus, Ohio. He believed strongly in education. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from LeMoyne-Owen College. He also received a Master of Science in Education from New York University. Later, he earned another Master of Science in Urban Education from the University of Tennessee. He also held an honorary degree from Southeastern College of Technology.

Serving Memphis as Mayor

During his time as interim mayor, Lowery focused on making government more open and honest. He worked to bring new ideas and transparency to the city's operations. He wanted people to understand how their city government worked.

A Time of Change

Lowery's brief period as mayor was a time of transition for Memphis. He aimed to ensure that the city's leadership was clear and accountable to its citizens. His efforts helped set a path for future city improvements.

Community and National Involvement

Lowery was very active in his community and on a national level. He served on many boards, helping different groups. These included the Tennessee Municipal League, the Memphis Zoo, and the Board of Trustees of LeMoyne-Owen College. He also supported the Goodwill Boys Club and the Headstart Policy Council.

Nationally, Lowery was a board member for the National League of Cities. He was also Vice-President of the National Association of Black Journalists. He held several leadership roles with Democratic Municipal Officials. In 1996, he was a speaker at the 1996 Democratic National Convention. He was also a member of the Democratic National Committee. Lowery was part of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials. He also served as treasurer for the United Negro College Fund's National Alumni Council.

A Memorable Meeting

In September 2009, Myron Lowery had a special meeting with the 14th Dalai Lama, a respected Tibetan Buddhist leader. Lowery greeted the Dalai Lama with a friendly fist bump. This unique greeting was planned beforehand and even made national news for a short time!

Advocating for Change

In July 2015, Myron Lowery supported an important discussion in Memphis. He believed that certain historical memorials on public land should be re-evaluated. He felt it was important not to honor individuals who were associated with practices and views that are now widely considered unfair and harmful. His actions sparked conversations about how cities remember their past.