On Saturday, it was reported that former New Mexico Sen. R. Leo Dow, a Republican, passed away at the age of 96.
According to his obituary, “Leo was born in 1926 in Chilili, New Mexico and worked hard his entire life. He started building barns and cuartito’s in his teens, and served in the U.S. Army, during WWII. He was very proud of his military service and that people everywhere thanked him for it until the day he passed. After the war ended, he returned home, purchased a truck and hauled wheat, beans, potatoes and vigas throughout the Southwest.”
“Certainly, a steadfast entrepreneur from 1950 to 1990, he was elected to public office by age 40 serving as NM State Senator from 1967-1976 for District 32 (became District 10).”
Dow introduced Pete V. Domenici “to every corner of New Mexico in the early 1970’s. Leo and Pete were good friends from early years of baseball and produce deliveries,” according to the write-up.
After serving two terms in the state Senate, Dow ran as former Congressman Joe Skeen’s lieutenant governor running mate, losing the race by one percent.
He “proudly knew, met, or shook hands with seven U.S. Presidents, and summed a lot up with a handshake,” the obituary added.
Celebration of Life services will be held on Friday, May 12, 2023, and are arranged through Gabaldon Mortuary at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church (1860 Griegos Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107) with a public viewing at 10:00 a.m., Rosary at 10:30 a.m., Mass at 11:00 a.m., and internment at Mt. Calvary Cemetery (1900 Edith Blvd. NE, 87102) at 12:30 p.m.
RIP Leo Dow. You were a good, honest man.
Was He Relation to Rebecca Dow by chance?
Children wife grandkids not mentioned or I missed that part.
MY FAMILY WERE COUSINS TO THIS MAN AND HIS EXTENDED FAMILY.
JONES LIFE
I loved Leo. He was a good buddy. Helped me much in my campaigns for office. A hero to a lot of us and a very good and loyal Republican; no craziness. He had sense, his advice was always good, and he was sincere in all his efforts to help others get ahead in public office. We had many breakfasts together even after la politica was all done. I will always think of him with affection and gratitude.
I’m grateful to Mr. Dow for teaching me bookkeeping skills at age 16, and trusting me with his bookkeeping!