NORWALK – Jack (John) Allan Dow, a retired school principal in La Mirada and Norwalk, died Jan. 6, his family recently announced. Jack was born Nov. 20, 1930, in Los Angeles, the only child of John and Frances Dow. He graduated from Kingsburg High School and was invited to play basketball at the College of the Sequoias in Visalia, where he earned his AA degree. He went on to receive his BA degree in education from Fresno State in 1952.

After college he immediately enlisted in the Army and served in intelligence during the Korean War.

His illustrious career in education began as a teacher in Fresno and expanded to assistant principal, principal, and assistant superintendent in different districts. During this time period, Jack continued with graduate learning, earning a Master of Arts in Education at Fresno State in 1957, and another Master of Arts in Education at the University of Southern California in 1966, and his Doctor of Education Degree at USC in 1967.

His primary interests were planning, development, and administration of instructional programs. In 1970, Jack worked with the Santa Clara County Education system as chief architect of the “Program, Planning, Instructional Budgeting System”.

From there Jack worked as a research associate and educational planner for a national research and training lab called Research for Better Schools in Philadelphia, PA, until 1975. He then returned to southern California for principal positions in LaMirada and Norwalk.

Jack and his wife, Jan, lived oceanfront in Seal Beach for 27 years as he finished his educational career and retired in 1988. For the next 17 years their focus was on travel.

In 2005 they moved to the Oasis Country Club in Palm Desert and became members of Southwest church.

A memorial service celebrating Jack’s life was held Feb. 28 at Oasis Country Club.

Charitable donations may be made out to Southwest Church or Disabled American Veterans in Jack’s memory.

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Published: March 19, 2015 - Volume 13 - Issue 49