Lumpkin Chief Magistrate Judge Lowe dies at 54

DAHLONEGA - Chief Magistrate Judge William Jeffrey "Jeff" Lowe, age 54, died Sunday at the Chestatee Regional Hospital in Dahlonega, Georgia following a period of declining health.

A native and lifelong resident of Lumpkin County, Judge Lowe was a graduate of Lumpkin County High School, graduate of North Georgia Police Academy in Athens, Georgia and also a graduate of Leadership Lumpkin County. Colleagues said he was always looking for ways to keep Magistrate Court up-to-date with innovative programs such as the Electronic Warrant Interchange, using the WMCIS criminal program connected to Atlanta via internet.

Judge Lowe began internships for North Georgia College students to expand their day-to-day knowledge of "hands on" court experience. He also introduced legislation for Probate and Magistrate Judges to be "non-partisan" in elections. He also began "Shop with the Judges" program which provided underprivileged youngsters with a way to buy Christmas presents for their families and themselves.

Judge Lowe was Past President of the Georgia Jailers Association and served two terms as the 9th District Representative of the Magistrate Council of Georgia. His involvement in the local community included being Past President of the Jaycees, member of the Blue Mountain Masonic Lodge # 38, member of the Order of the Eastern Star # 333, member of the Dahlonega Lion Club, member of Habitat for Humanity, member of the Domestic Violence Task Force, member of the Child Fatality Review Board, member of the Child Abuse Protocol, Woodmen of the World and was a member of the Antioch Baptist Church.

Funeral Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 22, 2012 at the Dahlonega Baptist Church with the remains placed in state at the church at 1:30 p.m. The interment will follow in the Bethel Tabernacle Baptist Church Cemetery with Masonic Graveside Rites by the Blue Mountain Masonic Lodge # 38 F & A.M. of Dahlonega. The family will receive friends at the Dahlonega Funeral Home after 1:00 p.m. on Monday.

Judge Lowe's remains will be placed in state in the lobby of the Lumpkin County Courthouse on Tuesday, 12:00 Noon until 4:00 p.m. with visitation beginning after 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the Dahlonega Funeral Home.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2012/8/251919