Master and Commander
Posts: 1280
Location: NE Florida | Subject: Friday Obits
https://www.facebook.com/ussvi.eternalpatrol/
The above link goes to the USSVI (United States Submarine Veterans, Inc.) Facebook page where their members who have gone on “Eternal Patrol” are noted.
I’ll keep my work here going, trying to get others who were not USSVI members. You’re encouraged to look there as well as here! Obviously, there’ll be some I miss and some I duplicate.
DOW .. .. .. Gerald (Jerry) Sr. Dow, 12/27/1931 - 07/30/2025
Jerry Dow, a longtime resident of San Francisco, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2025. He was born in Los Angeles to parents Harry and Agnes Dow (née Algie). Married to Carolyn (Lynn) for 58 years, he is survived by his wife; his children, Jerry II (Lucia) and Felice O'Rourke (Michael); and his treasured grandchildren, Alana Dow and Aerin and Ryder O'Rourke. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Diane Bagnall, and his niece Diana Thompson.
Jerry grew up in Compton, California, and graduated from Compton Union High School. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve and served aboard the submarine USS Aspro during the Korean Conflict, a point of particular pride in his life. He was honorably discharged following his service and went on to graduate from the University of Denver. He later earned a master's degree in geography from San Francisco State University. His master's thesis, Bay Fill in San Francisco: A History of Change, a seminal work when first published, continues to be used as a reference today.
A licensed San Francisco Bay Maritime Pilot, Jerry spent many years as captain of vessels that ferried railroad cars across the Bay between San Francisco, Oakland, and Tiburon. When railroad operations on the Bay were terminated, he embraced the role of househusband, a rather unique position at the time but one to which he was particularly well suited.
A man of many interests, Jerry was a health and fitness enthusiast and a charter member of the San Francisco Bay Club; he continued to attend exercise classes well into his 90s. A conservationist long before the green movement became popular, he was a docent at the California Academy of Sciences for many years and led children's walks at the San Francisco Botanical Garden until COVID intervened. He was also a skilled woodworker and always dreamed of getting the Pelican sailboat he built by hand, Felice Maru, back on the water. In his later years, he enjoyed playing checkers and coin collecting with his grandchildren.
Jerry leaves behind a lasting legacy of environmental stewardship, inspiring others to appreciate and preserve the beauty of the San Francisco Bay and its surroundings. Above all, he was a beloved and devoted husband, father, and grandfather, "Pa" to his grandchildren.
SHOCKLEY .. .. .. Stephen W. Shockley, age 69, of Frankford, DE, passed away on Monday, September 1, 2025. Born in Wilmington, DE on May 14, 1956, he was the son of the late Calvin W. Shockley and Bessie Naomi Short Shockley.
Stephen enlisted in the Navy and served as a Quartermaster on nuclear submarines, most notably, on the USS Sunfish when it received a Presidential Unit Citation. In high school, he was a national champion in auto repair. Therefore, following his service in the Navy, he worked as an avid and skilled auto mechanic for over 40 years which included being a certified Mercedes Benz and Toyota master mechanic. After moving to the family farm in Frankford, he opened and ran his own auto repair shop and developed many loyal customers. He loved spending time tinkering with cars, playing his guitar, and enjoyed reading books on military and political history. He valued spending time with family and friends and always made time to help people whenever there was a need. He was loved and will be greatly missed by all.
Stephen never married and was preceded in death by his father and mother.
Survivors include his brother, Ronald Shockley (Georgia) of Annapolis, MD, niece, Christina Shockley Vivian (Charles), grandniece, Samantha Vivian all of Rockville, MD, and aunts, uncles, and numerous cousins.
Services will be held at a point yet to be determined. Interment will be private.
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Friday Obits
