Calvin Lynn Tow – Obituary and Assessment Call
Calvin Lynn Tow, 90, of Amarillo, passed away on Friday, March 4, 2022. 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 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.
TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE
MUTUAL ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 549
Del Valle, Texas 78617
TO: ALL MEMBERS OF THE TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT MUTUAL ASSOCIATION
SUBJECT: Assessment Call: Calvin Lynn Tow #273
DATE: June 26, 2022
AMOUNT: $20.00
DUE: June 26, 2022
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Mutual Association (TPW Mutual Association) regrets to inform you of the death of one of our members, Calvin Lynn Tow.
Calvin became a member of the TPW Mutual Association on May 24, 1961. He retained his membership up until his death on March 4, 2022. Checks in the amount of $1,666.67 were delivered to his three daughters Kathy Gilmore, Debbie Lloyd, and Karen Meyers on May 24, 2022.
An assessment in the amount of $20.00 will be necessary to bring the policy fund back into balance to have payments on hand for other members in case of death. Please make this payment by the due date listed above.
Sincerely,
Julie Wicker, Acting Treasurer
Texas Parks & Wildlife Mutual Association
If you have any questions regarding the TPWD Mutual Association, please contact:
President: Vacant
Vice-president: Dennis Gissell (512) 389-4407, dennis.gissell@tpwd.texas.gov
Secretary: Vacant
Acting Treasurer: Julie Wicker, TPW.Mutual.Association@gmail.com