Obituary for Calvin Lynn Tow
Calvin Lynn Tow, 90, of Amarillo, passed away on Friday, March 4, 2022. Services will be at 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at Brooks Chapel with Aaron Denson, Pastor of Arden Road Baptist Church, officiating. Private burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Monday, March 7, 2022 at Brooks Chapel.
Calvin was born on November 24, 1931 to W.T. (Willie) and Vera Tow in Quail, TX, the middle of three sons. He attended school in Quail and graduated from there in 1949. After graduation, he farmed with his dad and then on his own. During slow times he worked odd jobs, his favorite being a mechanic. Calvin married Cliffa Jean Langford, his yellow rose of Texas on April 22, 1955 at the Friendship Baptist Church parsonage in Buck Creek, TX. His first daughter, Kathy, was born the following year, and in 1957, Calvin began his training as a Texas State Game Warden at Texas A&M University in College Station. In 1958 his daughter, Debbie was born, and Calvin was given his first Game Warden assignment in Dalhart, TX. In 1965 his third daughter, Karen was born. Calvin and Cliffa happily raised their girls in Dalhart, and they enjoyed being a part of that community for a total of 20 years. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Dalhart and later Calvary Baptist Church in Canyon.
In 1978, Calvin was promoted to District Supervisor and relocated to Amarillo, TX. His district included 22 counties of the Texas panhandle. He retired in 1993 after serving proudly for 36 years.
Over the course of his career, Calvin served as president of the United Peace Officers of America, was on the Board of Directors at Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch, was a Free Mason, and served his community in countless ways both in front of and behind the scenes.
Calvin loved music, Country & Western to be specific. He never had a lesson so he couldn’t read music, but he could play instruments by ear, including the guitar, piano, and pretty much anything with strings. He had a great interest in horses, and he delighted in sharing that with his daughters. He also enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing, welding, and helping others with their projects. His girls kept him busy! Calvin’s love and his curiosity of the wonders of nature made his career choice a perfect fit. His family will continue to honor him by passing on his love of God’s creation to future generations.
When talking with Calvin’s friends, family, or colleagues, many used the same words to describe him: kind, honest, steadfast, consistent, respected as well as respectful, full of integrity, hard-working, humorous, and full of good stories.
He loved his family fiercely and they felt the same about him. He loved his Lord and his country; he was a true gentleman thru and thru. Calvin was a friend to many and loved by all.
Calvin was preceded in death by his wife, Cliffa Jean Langford Tow; a grandson, Jason Gilmore; great grandson, Griffith Donoghue; great granddaughter, Beckett Donoghue; his parents, William Taylor Tow and Vera Tow; brothers, Wayne Tow and Gaylon Tow; and sister-in-law, JoAnn Langford Heckathorn.
Survivors include three daughters, Kathy Tow Gilmore, Debbie Tow Lloyd and husband, Gregg, and Karen Tow Meyers and husband, Greg; Rusty Gilmore; nine grandchildren, Chad Lloyd and wife, Cassie, Lacey Gilmore and Cole Cyrus, Jenny Lloyd Strovas and husband, Shawn, Calvin Chance Gilmore and wife, Crystal, Matthew Meyers and wife, Shawnya, Todd Sanford, Bethany Meyers Donoghue and husband, Jimmy, Winston Gilmore, and Quanah Gilmore; seven great grandchildren, Cayson Bridges and wife, Makaila, Kelsie Cappers, Kallan Strovas, Ethan Gilmore, Briar Strovas, Mia Saldivar, and James Saldivar; great, great granddaughter, Adlee Sue Bridges; sisters-in-law, Betty Tow and Wanda Floyd; brother-in-law, Bill Heckathorn; special family friend, Yuvonne Boothe; and countless friends and family that loved him dearly.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Mutual Association, a benevolent fund created to help families of a deceased colleague. TPWD Mutual Association, PO Box 549, Del Valle, TX 78617.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Conner Place in Canyon for the loving care and respect they showed Dad, aka “Cowboy” or “Handsome”. Your love was evident in the way you cared for him, and he loved each of you very much. We also would like to thank Kindred Hospice for the comfort and support given to our Dad as well as his family as he prepared to meet his Savior.
Calvin was born on November 24, 1931 to W.T. (Willie) and Vera Tow in Quail, TX, the middle of three sons. He attended school in Quail and graduated from there in 1949. After graduation, he farmed with his dad and then on his own. During slow times he worked odd jobs, his favorite being a mechanic. Calvin married Cliffa Jean Langford, his yellow rose of Texas on April 22, 1955 at the Friendship Baptist Church parsonage in Buck Creek, TX. His first daughter, Kathy, was born the following year, and in 1957, Calvin began his training as a Texas State Game Warden at Texas A&M University in College Station. In 1958 his daughter, Debbie was born, and Calvin was given his first Game Warden assignment in Dalhart, TX. In 1965 his third daughter, Karen was born. Calvin and Cliffa happily raised their girls in Dalhart, and they enjoyed being a part of that community for a total of 20 years. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Dalhart and later Calvary Baptist Church in Canyon.
In 1978, Calvin was promoted to District Supervisor and relocated to Amarillo, TX. His district included 22 counties of the Texas panhandle. He retired in 1993 after serving proudly for 36 years.
Over the course of his career, Calvin served as president of the United Peace Officers of America, was on the Board of Directors at Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch, was a Free Mason, and served his community in countless ways both in front of and behind the scenes.
Calvin loved music, Country & Western to be specific. He never had a lesson so he couldn’t read music, but he could play instruments by ear, including the guitar, piano, and pretty much anything with strings. He had a great interest in horses, and he delighted in sharing that with his daughters. He also enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing, welding, and helping others with their projects. His girls kept him busy! Calvin’s love and his curiosity of the wonders of nature made his career choice a perfect fit. His family will continue to honor him by passing on his love of God’s creation to future generations.
When talking with Calvin’s friends, family, or colleagues, many used the same words to describe him: kind, honest, steadfast, consistent, respected as well as respectful, full of integrity, hard-working, humorous, and full of good stories.
He loved his family fiercely and they felt the same about him. He loved his Lord and his country; he was a true gentleman thru and thru. Calvin was a friend to many and loved by all.
Calvin was preceded in death by his wife, Cliffa Jean Langford Tow; a grandson, Jason Gilmore; great grandson, Griffith Donoghue; great granddaughter, Beckett Donoghue; his parents, William Taylor Tow and Vera Tow; brothers, Wayne Tow and Gaylon Tow; and sister-in-law, JoAnn Langford Heckathorn.
Survivors include three daughters, Kathy Tow Gilmore, Debbie Tow Lloyd and husband, Gregg, and Karen Tow Meyers and husband, Greg; Rusty Gilmore; nine grandchildren, Chad Lloyd and wife, Cassie, Lacey Gilmore and Cole Cyrus, Jenny Lloyd Strovas and husband, Shawn, Calvin Chance Gilmore and wife, Crystal, Matthew Meyers and wife, Shawnya, Todd Sanford, Bethany Meyers Donoghue and husband, Jimmy, Winston Gilmore, and Quanah Gilmore; seven great grandchildren, Cayson Bridges and wife, Makaila, Kelsie Cappers, Kallan Strovas, Ethan Gilmore, Briar Strovas, Mia Saldivar, and James Saldivar; great, great granddaughter, Adlee Sue Bridges; sisters-in-law, Betty Tow and Wanda Floyd; brother-in-law, Bill Heckathorn; special family friend, Yuvonne Boothe; and countless friends and family that loved him dearly.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Mutual Association, a benevolent fund created to help families of a deceased colleague. TPWD Mutual Association, PO Box 549, Del Valle, TX 78617.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Conner Place in Canyon for the loving care and respect they showed Dad, aka “Cowboy” or “Handsome”. Your love was evident in the way you cared for him, and he loved each of you very much. We also would like to thank Kindred Hospice for the comfort and support given to our Dad as well as his family as he prepared to meet his Savior.