Lowry attended Shaker Heights High School, where he received All-League and All-District honors.
As a sophomore, he became a starter at defensive end, registering 105 tackles (11 for loss) and 3 fumble recoveries.
He posted 94 tackles (21 for loss) and 5 fumble recoveries, while helping his team reach the 1978 Mid-Continent Conference Championship and the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Playoffs.
Lowry was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the twelfth round (329th overall) of the 1979 NFL draft, with the intention of playing him at outside linebacker.
On August 24, he was placed on the injured reserve list with a thigh injury and returned to play in 9 games mainly on special teams.