Paul Ray Dow

Paul Ray Dow, 84, of Jackson passed away Sunday, March 2, 2014, at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis.

He was born July 12, 1929, in Jackson, son of Ezra Ray and Reba Overbeck Dow. He and Bettie Jane Godwin were married Aug. 20, 1949, at First Baptist Church in Jackson.

Paul Ray was a private first class in the U.S. Army, serving honorably from Jan. 22, 1952, to Dec. 24, 1953.

He was a lifelong farmer in the Jackson area, receiving various awards, including No-Till Farmer of the Year. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Jackson, where he was a deacon and Sunday school teacher, and a member of Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158 in Jackson.

Paul Ray enjoyed the winter months in Mesa, Ariz., playing volleyball, softball, relaxing, and often visiting his son, Stephen. He loved traveling and vacationing with his wife, Bettie, and their children and grandchildren.

Loving survivors include his wife of 64 years; a daughter, Paula (Wayne) Givens of Ballwin, Mo.; a son, Stephen (Diann) Dow of Austin, Texas; a sister, Judy (George) Cozby of Jackson; two granddaughters, Jenna McGregor of Indianapolis and Lauren (Eric) Hayes of Columbia, Mo.

He was preceded in death by a brother and sister-in-law, Clinton and Flossie Wilkinson Dow.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Janet Hopkins officiating. Interment will be in Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson with full military honors.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to the WMU of First Baptist Church in Jackson, or Missouri Children's Burn Camp.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting mccombsfuneralhome.com.