The other day, a reporter asked me how I met Ken Lowe. I paused, smiled and said, “You know, I have no idea.” It felt like I’d known him forever. We connected because we were both adamant fighters for what we believed in, protectors of the downtrodden and, at times, disliked for our stances.

Our conversations were wide-ranging — his experiences with the Horse Racing Commission, being appointed by both Governor Justice and Joe Manchin, his children, the progress on the Clarion and his distaste for egotistical people. He talked about Shepherdstown, the community, his school days and his grandchildren with such warmth. Whenever I needed advice — whether it was about water access for the new Shepherdstown Elementary School building or land use in the county — he was always ready to help.

Ken was passionate about Shepherdstown Elementary remaining a community-based school. He fought hard to keep it within walking distance of town, knowing the value of such proximity for a community. Although things didn’t go his way, he gave it his best fight. His generosity was well known, but few may realize the extent of it. He offered to be an unpaid consultant to the school board for construction projects and sold, even donated, land at reduced prices. The current parking lot at Shepherdstown Elementary? That used to be his land.

When the congregation at Asbury Church was repeatedly told that land was suddenly no longer for sale to them, presumably because they were Black, Ken stepped in. He sold them land when they had nowhere else to build their church.

I’ll never forget the time, early this school year, when I locked myself out of my car at North Jefferson Elementary School. I called Ken, and despite being about to jump in the shower, he said he’d come pick me up. I managed to retrieve my spare key before he arrived, but as luck would have it, he was just passing my house. He insisted on driving me back to my car. When I tried to repay him with a cup of coffee at Black Dog, he laughed and said, “Oh no, I have so much money. Save your money.”

Just two weeks later, I saw him at a retirement party at Jefferson Security Bank. He was struggling to walk. As I rushed over to help, he waved me off, but when his granddaughter hugged him, it was like he came alive again. Later, I offered him my seat, and we talked about his family — he was so proud of them. He shared every detail about his granddaughter’s activities, and we discussed a few political candidates. As others came by to greet him, I quietly stepped back and snapped a picture, thinking his family might want to see it soon.

Ken had once told me about his heart issues, that he was living on borrowed time. So when I heard of his passing four days later, I wasn’t shocked. What did surprise me, though, was how deeply he had impacted my life. At his funeral, I couldn’t hold back the tears. Ken was that rare, true friend everyone hopes to have at least once in their lifetime. He was one of my favorite people, and I will miss our long conversations and seeing him sit outside the Sweet Shop on Sunday mornings.

Donna Joy, of Shepherdstown, is entering her second term on the Jefferson County Board of Education. She can be reached at DonnaJoyBOE@gmail.com.