Paul E. Tow

He was born Nov. 6, 1951 in Frostburg, Maryland to Ronald and Lois (Miller) Tow. He married Pamela Rinehart on May 29, 1976 in Wheeling. IL. She survives along with Paul’s parents of Brainerd, MN, one son, Shane (Londi) Tow of St. Charles, MO, one daughter, Stephanie (Mark) Dustachek of Arlington, VA, six grandchildren: Isaiah, Brianna, Ryder, River, Rose and Luke. He is also survived by two brothers: Monte (Sandy) Tau, Barry Tow, and three sisters: Rona (Kurt) Lortz, Shirley (Rick) Reinert and Shelly Baardson all of Minnesota. Paul was a dedicated husband, father and an amazing grandfather to his 6 grand kids. As a young child, Paul was raised in a military family. The family was stationed in Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis and was one of the last families to leave the island before political relations changed dramatically. He attended high school in Wheaton, IL where he and his brothers developed a friendship with John and Jim Belushi from Saturday Night Live and other hit shows/movies. He left Wheaton to volunteer for the Marine Corps in 1969 to join the fight in Vietnam.

Paul was in the Marine Corps and served 2 tours in the Vietnam War during which time he was highly decorated. He was awarded The Legion of Merit from President Nixon, Bronze Star with Valor, Purple Heart, Combat Action Award, NDSM, Marine Expedition Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, and Marine Corp Good Conduct Medal amongst many others. After his tours in Vietnam and upon receipt of The Legion of Merit Award, he was invited to The White House to serve in the Honor Guard for President Nixon. His stories about Pat Nixon and her demands of drinking and playing cards with the Marines on duty were always entertaining. Several years after Honorable Discharge with the Marine Corps, Paul re-enlisted with the Army where he finished out the remainder of his 28yr military career. He retired in 1999 with the final rank of Sergeant Major. Upon conclusion of his Military Career, Paul took a position with MediaCom as a Warehouse Supervisor and concluded his working and serving career with a retirement celebration in 2017. Paul was an avid boater and Master Captain leading recreational boating trips starting from Peoria all the way north to the Great Lakes and south to Kentucky Lake. He was a member and Commodore of Seaway Boat Club and Holiday Harbor Boat Club.

His family owns a small fishing resort in northern Minnesota. He loved fishing, hunting, playing cards, snowmobiling and the great outdoors. Spending time at the resort was one of his favorite past times.

He also loved the 11-Time World Champion St. Louis Cardinals and attended games frequently with his son, Shane including the 2011 World Series. They went to Spring Training in Jupiter, FL in 2018 which was, perhaps, at the top of his “bucket list” at the time. Paul was a high decorated soldier, a dedicated husband and father and a loving grandfather. His impact on all of our lives was immeasurable, and his endless knowledge, laughter and love will be forever missed. Cremation rites have been accorded. A celebration of Paul’s life will be Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020 at 3 p.m. at the Davison-Fulton Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home in Peoria. Visitation will begin at 1pm. Memorials may be made in his name to The Wounded Warrior Project or St. Jude Children’s Hospital. You may view Paul’s obituary online at www.woolsey-wilton.com