Ted – A Black Belt at Heart

In Loving Memory – Ted Lowrie at Shorinkan Family Karate

About six weeks ago I mentioned Ted in my post about goals and how my wife and I have implemented his business strategies to help us create a successful business. This past Wednesday, Ted went home to be with the Lord.

I first met Ted shortly after we moved to Colorado almost six years ago. At that point in time he had been battling ALS – Lou Gehrig’s Disease for about two years. Back then he was still able to get around fairly well. He would drive around the mountain neighborhood on his atv. He was losing the use of his arms and the muscles in his neck, but he kept doing what he could.

About 4 1/2 years ago my wife and I went through a very difficult trial in our lives. We spent every Wednesday night with Ted and his wife Denise for about two years. They helped us, prayed with us and encouraged us to keep going forward.

It was during this time that we decided to give Ted an honorary black belt from our dojo. He was very excited and it was a very emotional time for all of us who were there. Even though his body was becoming weaker, Ted’s spirit was full of life and joy. I can’t put into words just how much this man was an inspiration to me and to so many others. He had faults just like the rest of us, but he put his trust in his Lord and Savior Jesus. He had the Lord’s joy and shared it wherever and whenever he could, in spite of the disease that was destroying his body.

All the way until the end, Ted kept living life to the fullest – attending hockey games, church and even my son’s graduation party. He still kept sharing his life with others even though it was often very tiring for him to do so.

I last saw Ted a couple of weeks ago. My family and I spent a couple of hours with him on a Friday night. He was very weak, but he still smiled, listened and shared his joy with us.

I think the thing that I will miss the most about Ted is his smile and his laugh. Somehow they were connected to his eyes. When he smiled and laughed, his eyes twinkled. You knew it was real. We shared a lot of laughs together and I am thankful for that.

So until we meet again someday, goodbye Ted. Thanks for being my friend…you were a true Black Belt at Heart.