Ronald Earl Clow

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Ronald Earl Clow, 60, Nevada, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011, at Freeman Health Systems West, Joplin, Mo. He was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., on June 29, 1950, to Earl Ross Clow and Maxine Winona DeMerse Clow. He was married in 1983 in Ashland, Ore., to Nancy Seeley, and she survives of the home.

Ron spent most of his formative years in southern California. He graduated from the California State University, Northridge, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 1975. Ron developed his own residential/commercial construction and investment property company, Ron Clow Construction, spanning over four states, specializing in custom homes, office construction, management of investment properties, and remodels and renovations. With more than 20 years of running his prolific business, and family desires to settle in the Midwest, in 1998, Ron was hired by the city of Nevada, Mo., as a building inspector. During his tenure with the city of Nevada, Ron advanced to planning director/building official in 2003, and to economic development director/planning director in 2006. He was passionate about recycling and developed the recycling program in Nevada. He received the Community Improvement Pacesetters Award for his work in opening the Nevada/Vernon County Recycling Center. Instrumental in the establishment and chairing of the Vernon County Enhanced Enterprise Zone, he was also an executive board member on the Kaysinger Basin Regional Planning Commission and chairman of the Kaysinger Business Conferences.

Characterized by his peers as a man who exhibited the highest level of professional knowledge with diligence, hard work, and the highest standards of excellent communication skills, Ron was also a very compassionate and devoted family man, father and husband. He thoroughly loved his daughters and gave his undivided parental support to all of their special interests, including their love for animals and equestrian activities, 4-H, academics and show choir. Ron also internalized the importance of extended family, and remained close to all of his brothers and sisters, and extended family. A man of good humor, Ron enjoyed basketball, baseball, camping and napping with his wiener dogs. He will be missed and was greatly loved by family and friends.

Survivors in addition to his wife, Nancy Lea Seeley-Clow, of 28 years, include two children, Cara Rose Clow and Kelly May Clow, both of the home; one brother, Richard Wayne Clow, Brinley, Mich., and two sisters, Rhonda Sue Hermes, Norman, Okla., and Sharon Lee Crist, Goldendale, Wash., and many close relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 11, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, with the Rev. Greg Ferree and the Rev. Mark Mitchell officiating. Interment will follow in Newton Burial Park, Nevada. Friends may call now and until the hour of service at Ferry Funeral Home and the family receives friends Monday, Jan. 10, from 7-8 p.m., at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to "Education Fund" to be used for Ron's children's college education. These contributions may be sent c/o Ferry Funeral Home, 301 S. Washington, Nevada.

View obituary and send condolences on line at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.