Wayne Dow Obituary

DOW, Wayne

Wayne Jeffrey Dow was born in Baltimore, MD, on May 28, 1952, and died suddenly at home in Weaverville, NC, on January 2, 2025. Wayne moved often in his early years due to his father's work-related transfers; the family finally settled in Latham, NY, where Wayne attended Shaker Junior and Senior High Schools. Wayne obtained a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Teaching, from Duke University.

After moving to Atlanta in his late 20s, he taught at The Padeia School. He was also accepted into the graduate program of community psychology at Georgia State University, where he established several lifelong friendships. Wayne's commitment to social justice led him to employment at a battered women's shelter in Cobb County, the Georgia Council on Child Abuse, and Amnesty International. In each case, he provided support and resources for populations that were underserved and in great need.

His work at Amnesty led him to San Antonio, where he also took on several artistic endeavors - including professional woodworking and work on a large cattle ranch, where he enjoyed putting on "ranch camp" each summer, showing the wonders of the natural world to his young nephews and many other children. On the ranch, he was known for catching rattlesnakes by hand, hunting and cleaning his own meat, and riding with the cowboys on round up. And, although he learned to play Bridge at an early age, he developed into an expert player (and teacher) during his Texas years.

Wayne's love of woodworking brought him to the mountains of Western North Carolina, with the intention of building his own workshop. That plan was waylaid when he met his life partner to be, Nettie White, at a Bridge game. She was new to the game and Wayne convinced her he needed to be the one to teach her how to play. Their relationship blossomed beyond Bridge and he soon moved in with Nettie and her daughter Emily. Nettie shared her friendships and love for canoeing, camping and rowing with Wayne.

He had so many passions in life - from decades of serious stamp collecting to researching and procuring pre-civil war letters from Natchez, Mississippi and had begun a large collection about the early colored troops of the Union army. He mostly loved being of service to the people he loved and, indeed, died while putting the final touches on a beautiful shed he built for Nettie - the last gift of his deep love.

Wayne was preceded in death by his father, Harry Gilman Dow and his mother, Marjorie Scull Dow. He is survived by his older brother, Denny Dow (Diane); his beloved nephews, Jeff Dow and Kevin Dow; their wives and children; and several cousins.

A funeral service will be held in Atlanta on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at Inman Park Methodist Church. Visitation and viewing will begin at 12:00 noon and the service will begin at 1:00 PM, followed by a procession to Oakland Historic Cemetery for a short graveside service and interment. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Asheville.