Joseph Georges Dow

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Joseph Georges Dow on August 18, 2024. Born on December 28, 1937, Joe lived a life of kindness, generosity, and unwavering commitment to his family and community.

They say heroes get remembered, but legends never die. Joe Dow lived a legendary life by writing his story on his terms, which reads like a classic tale of the American dream—a narrative driven by grit, ingenuity, and an unyielding sense of purpose.

Born in Hirache near Tartous, Syria, Joe left his village at 18 to join his family in Louisiana and attend Northwestern State University. Despite being the university’s arm-wrestling champion, he faced many challenges of learning a new language and adapting to a foreign culture.

Joe learned the fence trade working for his cousin’s company in Louisiana. In 1962, he moved to Galena Park, Texas, where he worked with a local fence company. Two years later, he started Dow Fence Company, relocating to Pasadena in 1964, where it would become a community landmark over the next 60 years. Despite frugal beginnings, often surviving on flapjacks made from flour and lard, Joe’s entrepreneurial spirit was evident from the start.

Joe’s journey from immigrant to a successful entrepreneur is the American dream. He didn’t just work, he innovated. Joe had a unique ability to see opportunities where others saw obstacles. He became a pioneer in the fence industry as he built a business empire from the ground up while mastering the art of buying and selling commercial real estate.

For all his business acumen, Joe’s true passion lay with his family. Ten years into his business, Joe married his muse, Melanie (Milo) Hermez, on June 29, 1974, who was instrumental in both his personal and professional life.

Together, they reared six children, instilling in them the values that Joe held dear: hard work, integrity, and the importance of family. Their children saw firsthand the relentless drive that propelled their father forward, but they also saw the softer side of a man who found immense joy in the simplest of pleasures—like playing cards or backgammon with his Milo. He expressed his love for his family through food. When he cooked, he always ensured they ate first, and no one ever left the table with an empty stomach.

Even in later years, Joe’s dedication to his family and work never waned. He continued to go to the office daily, not out of necessity, but because it gave him a sense of purpose and a way to contribute to his community.

At home, Joe was a central figure, balancing his stoic ‘Godfather’ exterior with a quick wit, often sharing jokes or card tricks. He loved playing cards and relaxed by watching Family Feud, Wheel of Fortune, or football, especially if he wasn’t sitting at the end of the breakfast table reading the newspaper and obituaries.

Joe’s legacy is multifaceted. He was a man of faith and strong family values. A pillar of Pasadena, Joe was known for his unwavering generosity and commitment to giving back, including his support for Our Lady of the Cedars in Houston and the construction of a church in his hometown in Syria.

Despite his many successes, Joe remained a man of simplicity. He valued a dollar because he knew what it was like to go without. He taught his children the importance of hard work, integrity, and perseverance. His life lessons were often imparted through actions rather than words, and those who knew him most learned by observing his example.

Joe Dow’s story is a testament to the power of determination and creativity. His life, centered on family and hard work, exemplified how to seize opportunities and create a lasting legacy that transcends material success.

Above all, Joe was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who dedicated his life to the happiness and success of his family. He lived a life of purpose and integrity, and in doing so, he set an example that will inspire future generations. His story is a reminder that the true measure of a man is not found in his wealth or status, but in the impact he has on the lives of those around him.

Joe passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family. He leaves behind a legacy of strength, resilience, and discipline. Joe is survived by his devoted wife of 50 years, Milo Dow; his children, Dolan and Christine Dow, Darnell and Rebecca Dow, Lawrence and Dacia Dietlein, James Robert and Delena Lay, Dakrin Dow and Falynn Dow, Daphne Dow, and his 14 grandchildren. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered in the hearts of those who loved him.

A viewing will be held at 10:00 a.m. on August 24, 2024, at Our Lady of the Cedars, followed by a rosary at 10:30 a.m. The funeral liturgy will begin at 11:00 a.m., and the burial will occur at 3:30 p.m. at Grand View Funeral Home in Pasadena, Texas.

Serving as pallbearers are Dolan Dow, Darnell Dow, Dakrin Dow, Lawrence Dietlein, James Robert Lay and Richard Dow.