Jim passed away peacefully at his residence, Bayview Retirement Community, Seattle, from complications of Alzheimer's Disease, on December 7, 2017.
Jim was born in Seattle, on May 12, 1937, to Alexander Neil and Nell Lodica (Smith) Gow. He attended Franklin High School and the University of Washington, and later graduated from Seattle University. Jim served in the army reserves, and then ran the family business, Alexander Gow Fire Equipment Company, until he retired in 1991.
Jim was a talented watercolor painter and loved spending time outdoors, fishing, gardening, and picking wild blackberries. He also loved hunting in Eastern Washington with his life-long friend, Mike Griffin. Jim was a member of Prospect Church in Seattle.
Jim was preceded in death by his first wife, Jane (Talbot), and his sister Janette. He is survived by his wife Carolyn Urban, son Pete (Margaret), and grandson Alex Gow; by his brother in-law Dick Rodbury, nephew Steve Rodbury, and nieces Lynn (Rodbury) Matthies, Elizabeth (Doty) Brown, and Jennifer (Doty) Baxter; by his step-son Brian Threlkeld (Patricia Hswe), and step-grand children Julian Threlkeld and Lydia Hswe; and step-sons Craig and Todd (Anne Stevens) Threlkeld.
The family will hold a service for Jim on January 6th 2018 at 2:30 at Prospect Church, 1919 E. Prospect St. Seattle, Washington 98112. Memorials can be made to Prospect Enrichment Preschool, addressed to the church.