David W. Tow, 79, a Markham resident, passed away Saturday, March 19, 2022, at St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, Washington.

David was born March 19, 1943, to Weyman J. Tow and Verda M. Tow in Longview, Washington. David lived in Toutle, Washington as a young child. Then the family had stops in the Tacoma area. They resided on the Fort Lewis reservation where,they ran cattle. The family eventually settled in the Yakima Valley area.

David graduated from Bethel High School in 1961. David joined the Marine Corp Reserves from 1963-1967.

On April 4, 1964, he married his high school sweetheart, Patricia Gilbert, in Parkland, Washington. This couple stood together through the good times and the tough times. Together, they were a strong team.

David and Patricia worked together in the family cattle business, first in the Spanaway area and then to a ranch near Vantage, Washington. His daughter Denise and son Bill were born at that time. David and Patricia then moved to the Westport, Washington area, where he established a commercial fishing business. He owned two commercial trawlers in the 1970s.

In the early 1980s Dave’s Harbor Gun Works was started and continued on until his death.

David enjoyed hunting and fishing in Montana, Washington and British Columbia, Canada. He was the sitting President for the Grays Harbor Rifle and Pistol Club.

David was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Patricia Tow of Markham, Washington and brothers Dennis and Bill Tow.

He is survived by his daughter Denise (Jim) Atkinson of Ocosta, Washington; son Bill Tow of Tacoma, Washington; two

grandchildren: Bailey Burdick and William Tow Jr.; and one great-grandchild, Benelli Novak.

A celebration of life and potluck BBQ for David will take place on Monday, April 25, 1 p.m, at the Ocosta Rec Hall located at 45 Ocosta 6th St. Aberdeen, WA 98520.

A message of condolence or of a memory can be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com

Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, Washington.