John C. Blow

March 27, 1942 - July 5, 2015

John Blow passed away in the Trauma ICU of Renown Medical Center from complications following surgery to remove his ruptured spleen. His loving family surrounded and supported him in this final passage. John was born and raised in southern Illinois. His youthful looks and demeanor remained with him throughout his life. For his first few years he helped feed the chickens and do little-boy chores on his father’s farm right on the Mississippi River. The family moved to higher ground above the river in Prairie du Rocher, where some referred to the towheaded kid as “The Bandit.” John attended Chaminade Preparatory School in St. Louis, followed by two years at St. Louis University. He began a career in insurance claims adjusting in St. Louis. Later he supervised and managed offices for Fireman’s Fund Insurance Companies in several Midwestern cities before transferring to the large Los Angeles office. Later in Los Angeles he went to work for McLarens Toplis, an international claims management company. Business trips took him to various U.S. cities and destinations as far away as Tokyo and Sydney. His many trips to London turned him into quite an Anglophile. Friends from Lloyd’s of London also brought him into the English countryside. But his favorite place was always at home relaxing with a well-brewed cup of coffee while listening to good music, firing up the barbecue, or working on wood projects. John and his then wife Karen moved to Carson City in northern Nevada to a home on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada range. The clear, big blue skies, the double- and triple-rainbows, and the marvelous array of clouds including those that look like giant flying saucers delighted him every day. He continued to work from home for McLarens and then retired in place in Carson, where he participated in Kiwanis and volunteered extensively for the Brewery Arts Center. During his first marriage, John was blessed with five children, John Michael, Rhonda, Steven, Jeffrey, and Mark, all of whom survive him and have given him ten grandchildren. His loving parents Helisy and Edgar Blow predeceased him as did his sister Lucienne. He is also survived by close friend and brother Bill, his best friend Karen Kish (formerly Karen Blow), and his beloved companion Miles, a sweet perky West Highland Terrier. John loved a wide variety of music, especially jazz, classical, and his best buddy for all times, Frank Sinatra. Music was an essential part of his life. You might think of September Song or It Was a Very Good Year to send to John, who now rests in peace. A small private observance will be held at a later date.