SHEPHERDSTOWN — The Shepherdstown community and Jefferson County, as a whole, are still reeling from the word that businessman Ken Lowe passed away early this week.

Lowe, born Sept. 17, 1948, was a beloved member of the community, who worked tirelessly for many causes.

One of his main loves was that of thoroughbred racing, for which he was an advocate with efforts to ensure racing remained at Charles Town. Friend and former co-worker at Charles Town Races, Dickie Moore, shared that he and Lowe began working at the casino one year apart.

“I started in 1964, and Kenny came in 1965,” Moore said, adding that the two worked in the mutual department. “I remember he once said to me, ‘There are bigger and better things in racing — I think I’ll pursue them.’’’

Lowe served as a racing official in Charles Town, Moore said, before going to Waterford Park to serve as a racing official there. Lowe owned horses during his lifetime and served on the West Virginia Racing Commission, as well.

“He was a great asset to the horsemen,” Moore said. “He did everything he could to keep racing in Charles Town. He was still fighting at the end.”

Delegate Paul Espinosa concurred that Lowe was a strong advocate for thoroughbred racing.

“I was happy to work with him to keep that industry vibrant,” Espinosa said. “He will certainly be missed.”

Also speaking fondly of Lowe was Jeff Gilleas, with Charles Town Races.

“He was always a staunch advocate of racing in Jefferson County,” Gilleas said of Lowe. “Always in the center of conflict or debate, Kenny always sided with the horsemen.”

Gilleas went on to say that his friend, Lowe, always made him feel positive, like he had an advocate in his corner.

“You don’t always have a lot of people who have your back,” he said. “He was just a good guy who embraced people. He never made you feel like you weren’t good enough to be his friend.”

Gilleas added that he doesn’t see anyone else who will fill the shoes of advocacy for racing the way that Lowe did.

“I relied on him an awful lot on what we could do to save the horsemen,” shared U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin. “Racing was the reason we had the casino, and people sometimes just wanted to forget that.”

Manchin shared that even before the push for the casino, he and Lowe developed a relationship.

“We go back 40 years,” Manchin said, adding the Lowe started coming to the West Virginia Legislature and was always his go-to person with Sen. Robert Byrd. “He was also so active.”

“Ken Lowe was a dear friend,” shared Debbie McClure, director of the Ranson Convention and Visitors Bureau, who formerly worked at Charles Town Races. “He helped me navigate the halls of Charles Town, learn the game of politics and fight the battle to work smarter, not harder. A strong leader and stately gentleman is gone too soon.”

Also a close friend and business associate was Erwin Asam, owner of the Bavarian Inn.

“Ken was a great friend and business partner. Together, we created the Clarion Shepherdstown and with his leadership, welcomed the Middle East Peace Talks,” Asam shared. “He was a very proud West Virginian and loved Shepherdstown and the community.”

Lowe, along with his advocacy for horse racing, also was a supporter of tourism in the area. Jefferson County Convention & Visitors Bureau Director Annette Gavin Bates recalled Lowe fondly.

“He was constantly thinking outside the box,” she said, as she commented not only on tourism but on economic development in general. “I am grateful every day for milestones he set. He raised the bar for everyone.”

Lowe had become a strong supporter of Jefferson County Community Ministries and its mission in the community. Direct Keith Lowry described Lowe as a dear friend and mentor, sharing that when the two met at a drug treatment council meeting, they began a conversation that had Lowe saying, “I believe the Lord brought me to you, and I want to work with you.”

“We both knew we were led to meet, and I asked him to be on our board,” Lowry said.

Wherever Lowe crossed paths, he made friends and provided assistance, guidance and any other gift he could bestow. The community will miss his compassion, strength and mild-mannered appearance for years to come.

No details of funeral arrangements were available at press time.