Merle Densmore Gow was born July 25, 1907 in Meadville, Pennsylvania to Ruda Marion Gow and Mabel Diantha McCartney.
He married first, Dortha Mae Blair, December 25, 1928 and He married Second, Maurine Fern Prouty, December 24, 1951.
Merle Densmore Gow was born in Meadville, Pennsylvania on July 25, 1907, to Rev. Ruda M. Gow and Mabel Diantha McCartney. He was one of seven children. Growing up in Pennsylvania and Ohio, Merle graduated from Harding High school in Marion, Ohio in 1925. He had interests in radio, police and criminal investigations, construction, accounting, and photography. Early on he joined the United States Naval Command Reserve.
Merle had various jobs but followed his interest in Police work serving as a patrolman with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, as a constable in Sheakleyville, Pennsylvania, a Deputy Sheriff in Mercer County, Pennsylvania and later as a patrolman and Chief of Police in Galion, Ohio, being appointed to that position in 1942.
In the early years in California he worked with the California Highway Patrol as a Senior Radio Telephone Operator and also served with the Air Transport Command, Pacific Division, as Flight Navigator and Radio Flight Operator during World War II.
Merle married Maurine Fern Prouty in December of 1951, and the couple established their home in Sacramento. In the mid 50's he worked as a real estate agent with Johnny Case Realty and then opened his own office at 6622 Stockton Blvd. The family moved to Wilton in October of 1958 and Merle later transferred the office of Gow Realty to home. He pursued further training in the area of real estate through the University of California system and the McGeorge School of Law. He maintained his real estate broker's license and Gow Realty until around 1985.
Merle loved to tinker. His workbench was always a curious mix (as was the desk in his office…he tacked a card above it that said "a neat desk is the sign of a frightened mind.") but from his workbench he could always seem to make something out of nothing. He was clever, creative and resourceful…an example of what he called "Yankee Ingenuity". On more than one occasion he made gifts for his wife and the children when Christmas was expected to be particularly lean.
Merle is also remembered as an outspoken man with strong opinions. He firmly believed that the people should have a voice in politics and he let his voice be heard through the written word in countless Letters to the Editor in local papers as well as direct correspondence with elected officials and candidates in all levels of government.
He also enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles and word games, particularly Scrabble. Merle enjoyed writing poetry, much of which was political in nature. He also enjoyed telling stories. Family members recall hearing of his growing up years, his summers spent on Granddad McCartney's farm, as well as adventures in the air and overseas.
In addition to his wife Maurine and his nine children, Merle is also survived by two brothers, nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren as well as a host of nieces and nephews.
He married first, Dortha Mae Blair, December 25, 1928 and He married Second, Maurine Fern Prouty, December 24, 1951.
Merle Densmore Gow was born in Meadville, Pennsylvania on July 25, 1907, to Rev. Ruda M. Gow and Mabel Diantha McCartney. He was one of seven children. Growing up in Pennsylvania and Ohio, Merle graduated from Harding High school in Marion, Ohio in 1925. He had interests in radio, police and criminal investigations, construction, accounting, and photography. Early on he joined the United States Naval Command Reserve.
Merle had various jobs but followed his interest in Police work serving as a patrolman with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, as a constable in Sheakleyville, Pennsylvania, a Deputy Sheriff in Mercer County, Pennsylvania and later as a patrolman and Chief of Police in Galion, Ohio, being appointed to that position in 1942.
In the early years in California he worked with the California Highway Patrol as a Senior Radio Telephone Operator and also served with the Air Transport Command, Pacific Division, as Flight Navigator and Radio Flight Operator during World War II.
Merle married Maurine Fern Prouty in December of 1951, and the couple established their home in Sacramento. In the mid 50's he worked as a real estate agent with Johnny Case Realty and then opened his own office at 6622 Stockton Blvd. The family moved to Wilton in October of 1958 and Merle later transferred the office of Gow Realty to home. He pursued further training in the area of real estate through the University of California system and the McGeorge School of Law. He maintained his real estate broker's license and Gow Realty until around 1985.
Merle loved to tinker. His workbench was always a curious mix (as was the desk in his office…he tacked a card above it that said "a neat desk is the sign of a frightened mind.") but from his workbench he could always seem to make something out of nothing. He was clever, creative and resourceful…an example of what he called "Yankee Ingenuity". On more than one occasion he made gifts for his wife and the children when Christmas was expected to be particularly lean.
Merle is also remembered as an outspoken man with strong opinions. He firmly believed that the people should have a voice in politics and he let his voice be heard through the written word in countless Letters to the Editor in local papers as well as direct correspondence with elected officials and candidates in all levels of government.
He also enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles and word games, particularly Scrabble. Merle enjoyed writing poetry, much of which was political in nature. He also enjoyed telling stories. Family members recall hearing of his growing up years, his summers spent on Granddad McCartney's farm, as well as adventures in the air and overseas.
In addition to his wife Maurine and his nine children, Merle is also survived by two brothers, nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren as well as a host of nieces and nephews.
Merle Densmore Gow was born July 25, 1907 in Meadville, Pennsylvania to Ruda Marion Gow and Mabel Diantha McCartney.
He married first, Dortha Mae Blair, December 25, 1928 and He married Second, Maurine Fern Prouty, December 24, 1951.
Merle Densmore Gow was born in Meadville, Pennsylvania on July 25, 1907, to Rev. Ruda M. Gow and Mabel Diantha McCartney. He was one of seven children. Growing up in Pennsylvania and Ohio, Merle graduated from Harding High school in Marion, Ohio in 1925. He had interests in radio, police and criminal investigations, construction, accounting, and photography. Early on he joined the United States Naval Command Reserve.
Merle had various jobs but followed his interest in Police work serving as a patrolman with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, as a constable in Sheakleyville, Pennsylvania, a Deputy Sheriff in Mercer County, Pennsylvania and later as a patrolman and Chief of Police in Galion, Ohio, being appointed to that position in 1942.
In the early years in California he worked with the California Highway Patrol as a Senior Radio Telephone Operator and also served with the Air Transport Command, Pacific Division, as Flight Navigator and Radio Flight Operator during World War II.
Merle married Maurine Fern Prouty in December of 1951, and the couple established their home in Sacramento. In the mid 50's he worked as a real estate agent with Johnny Case Realty and then opened his own office at 6622 Stockton Blvd. The family moved to Wilton in October of 1958 and Merle later transferred the office of Gow Realty to home. He pursued further training in the area of real estate through the University of California system and the McGeorge School of Law. He maintained his real estate broker's license and Gow Realty until around 1985.
Merle loved to tinker. His workbench was always a curious mix (as was the desk in his office…he tacked a card above it that said "a neat desk is the sign of a frightened mind.") but from his workbench he could always seem to make something out of nothing. He was clever, creative and resourceful…an example of what he called "Yankee Ingenuity". On more than one occasion he made gifts for his wife and the children when Christmas was expected to be particularly lean.
Merle is also remembered as an outspoken man with strong opinions. He firmly believed that the people should have a voice in politics and he let his voice be heard through the written word in countless Letters to the Editor in local papers as well as direct correspondence with elected officials and candidates in all levels of government.
He also enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles and word games, particularly Scrabble. Merle enjoyed writing poetry, much of which was political in nature. He also enjoyed telling stories. Family members recall hearing of his growing up years, his summers spent on Granddad McCartney's farm, as well as adventures in the air and overseas.
In addition to his wife Maurine and his nine children, Merle is also survived by two brothers, nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren as well as a host of nieces and nephews.
He married first, Dortha Mae Blair, December 25, 1928 and He married Second, Maurine Fern Prouty, December 24, 1951.
Merle Densmore Gow was born in Meadville, Pennsylvania on July 25, 1907, to Rev. Ruda M. Gow and Mabel Diantha McCartney. He was one of seven children. Growing up in Pennsylvania and Ohio, Merle graduated from Harding High school in Marion, Ohio in 1925. He had interests in radio, police and criminal investigations, construction, accounting, and photography. Early on he joined the United States Naval Command Reserve.
Merle had various jobs but followed his interest in Police work serving as a patrolman with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, as a constable in Sheakleyville, Pennsylvania, a Deputy Sheriff in Mercer County, Pennsylvania and later as a patrolman and Chief of Police in Galion, Ohio, being appointed to that position in 1942.
In the early years in California he worked with the California Highway Patrol as a Senior Radio Telephone Operator and also served with the Air Transport Command, Pacific Division, as Flight Navigator and Radio Flight Operator during World War II.
Merle married Maurine Fern Prouty in December of 1951, and the couple established their home in Sacramento. In the mid 50's he worked as a real estate agent with Johnny Case Realty and then opened his own office at 6622 Stockton Blvd. The family moved to Wilton in October of 1958 and Merle later transferred the office of Gow Realty to home. He pursued further training in the area of real estate through the University of California system and the McGeorge School of Law. He maintained his real estate broker's license and Gow Realty until around 1985.
Merle loved to tinker. His workbench was always a curious mix (as was the desk in his office…he tacked a card above it that said "a neat desk is the sign of a frightened mind.") but from his workbench he could always seem to make something out of nothing. He was clever, creative and resourceful…an example of what he called "Yankee Ingenuity". On more than one occasion he made gifts for his wife and the children when Christmas was expected to be particularly lean.
Merle is also remembered as an outspoken man with strong opinions. He firmly believed that the people should have a voice in politics and he let his voice be heard through the written word in countless Letters to the Editor in local papers as well as direct correspondence with elected officials and candidates in all levels of government.
He also enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles and word games, particularly Scrabble. Merle enjoyed writing poetry, much of which was political in nature. He also enjoyed telling stories. Family members recall hearing of his growing up years, his summers spent on Granddad McCartney's farm, as well as adventures in the air and overseas.
In addition to his wife Maurine and his nine children, Merle is also survived by two brothers, nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren as well as a host of nieces and nephews.
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