Obituary of Lowell Edmund Toreson

Lowell Edmund Toreson, of Chapel Hill, passed away February 5, 2014. He was born on April 20, 1933 in California to Oscar and Kathryn Toreson. A private interment for the family will be at a later date. He is a 1954 graduate of West Point Military Academy. He married Mary Ellen Hardin on December 23, 1954. They recently entered their 60th year of marriage. He faithfully served his country for twenty years, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He then served as an Administrator for the Durham Parks and Recreation Department. He was a diehard UNC Tarheel Women's Soccer and Men's Basketball fan. One of Lowell's greatest thrills was his time ushering at the UNC Basketball Games. He also enjoyed providing service visitations with his therapy dog, Lily. During their many years in the military, Lowell and Mary Ellen were fortunate to see much of the world; however, they were most at peace at Yosemite National Park and the NC mountains. Over the years, he enjoyed reading, gardening, bird watching and spending time with his loved ones. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen Toreson; his sister, Nancy Bolan; his five daughters and their husbands, Kathy and Peter Blakney; Karen and Kurt Schaub; Kirsten and Chris Fickel; Lynn and David Hecht, and Laurie Toreson; his grandchildren: Robin, Teresa, Andrew, Samantha, Melissa, and Ryan; as well as three great grandchildren, Nathan, Camryn, and Isaiah. Visitation will be from 6:00PM to 8:00PM on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at Walker's Funeral Home in Chapel Hill. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Duke Hospice: Hock Family Pavilion, Duke Homecare and Hospice, Office of Development, 4321 Medical Park Drive, Suite 101, Durham, NC 27704 and the UNC Hospice, P.O. Box 1077, Pittsboro, NC 27312. Walker's Funeral Home of Chapel Hill is honored to serve the Toreson family.