- Born on: August 28, 1963
- Departed on: February 9, 2026
- Resided in: Marion, IA
Ronald Gifford Tow
Ronald Gifford Tow of Marion, Iowa, died February 9, 2026 at the age of 62, at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa from a tragic house fire where he lived. Born and raised in Cedar Rapids, he was the youngest son and fifth child of Gifford “Putts” Tow, Jr. and Jane Anne (Gaffney) Tow. He graduated from Washington High School, Class of 1981, and Kirkwood Community College, Class of 1983, with a Graphic Arts degree.
As a young boy, Ron loved playing Little League Baseball. He played on several teams, and played at most every position. He was a very good ball player back in the day! He cheered on the Chicago Cubs MLB team each year. During his teen years, he and several friends worked on local farms baling hay. He then worked for Fischer Printing and also the Cedar Rapids Gazette.
Ron loved dogs throughout his entire life. Growing up, our family always had a dog or two, and during his time in Texas he also cared for his dogs Shadow and Naz. His first job in Texas was with a company called Visual Impact where he worked as a graphic art designer. He then worked for the Town of Flower Mound Water Department.
Ron returned to the Cedar Rapids/Marion Iowa area and worked various jobs including at Home Depot, at assisted living centers, and at area restaurants. He always kept himself busy. He was never afraid of hard work. If you ever needed any help, he was always willing to lend a hand. A favorite past time of Ron’s was reading. He was an avid reader, and he loved visiting the Marion Library.
Ron was predeceased by his parents, paternal grandparents: Gifford Tow, Sr. and Tillie Petrick Tow and maternal grandparents Walter Gaffney and Olive Kirschbaum Gaffney.
He is survived by his 5 siblings: Debbie (Rich) Colozza of Gansevoort, NY, Don (Patty) Tow of Hiawatha, IA, Terry Tow of Springfield, IL, Lisa Tow of Flower Mound, TX and Becky (Barry) Stone of Lewisville, TX. His nephews, Tim Colozza of Gansevoort, NY, Chris (Amy) Colozza of Keeseville, NY, and Chris and Amy’s children: Ollie, Mia, Rosa, and Maggie and Zoya. His nieces: Tori Colozza (and her fiancé Keith Johns) of Spring, TX, Amber (Adam) Craig of Cumming, GA and sons, Chandler and Bryson, and Holly Stone of Lewisville, TX. He is also survived by many cousins and friends.
A Celebration of Life is planned in the Spring.
As a young boy, Ron loved playing Little League Baseball. He played on several teams, and played at most every position. He was a very good ball player back in the day! He cheered on the Chicago Cubs MLB team each year. During his teen years, he and several friends worked on local farms baling hay. He then worked for Fischer Printing and also the Cedar Rapids Gazette.
Ron loved dogs throughout his entire life. Growing up, our family always had a dog or two, and during his time in Texas he also cared for his dogs Shadow and Naz. His first job in Texas was with a company called Visual Impact where he worked as a graphic art designer. He then worked for the Town of Flower Mound Water Department.
Ron returned to the Cedar Rapids/Marion Iowa area and worked various jobs including at Home Depot, at assisted living centers, and at area restaurants. He always kept himself busy. He was never afraid of hard work. If you ever needed any help, he was always willing to lend a hand. A favorite past time of Ron’s was reading. He was an avid reader, and he loved visiting the Marion Library.
Ron was predeceased by his parents, paternal grandparents: Gifford Tow, Sr. and Tillie Petrick Tow and maternal grandparents Walter Gaffney and Olive Kirschbaum Gaffney.
He is survived by his 5 siblings: Debbie (Rich) Colozza of Gansevoort, NY, Don (Patty) Tow of Hiawatha, IA, Terry Tow of Springfield, IL, Lisa Tow of Flower Mound, TX and Becky (Barry) Stone of Lewisville, TX. His nephews, Tim Colozza of Gansevoort, NY, Chris (Amy) Colozza of Keeseville, NY, and Chris and Amy’s children: Ollie, Mia, Rosa, and Maggie and Zoya. His nieces: Tori Colozza (and her fiancé Keith Johns) of Spring, TX, Amber (Adam) Craig of Cumming, GA and sons, Chandler and Bryson, and Holly Stone of Lewisville, TX. He is also survived by many cousins and friends.
A Celebration of Life is planned in the Spring.
