CPL. GARY L. DOW II, U.S. MARINE CORPS RESERVE CHESAPEAKE, Va. – Cpl. Gary L. Dow II, U.S. Marine Corps, inactive reserve, 24, went to be with the Lord Sept. 30, 2010, in Virginia. Gary was born Oct. 8, 1985, in Rome, Ga. Being in a military family, Gary lived in Georgia; Iwakuni, Japan; and Virginia. Gary graduated from high school in Chesapeake, Va., in 2004. The next year he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, March 21, 2005. Pvt. Dow graduated from Marine Corps Boot Camp with Platoon No. 3048, June 17, 2005, at Parris Island, S.C. Pvt. Dow went on to communications school in 29 Palms, California, where he was promoted to private first class. Upon graduation Pvt. 1st Class Dow was assigned to Headquarters Company 5th Marine Regimen at Camp Pendleton, Calif. After completion of pre-deployment training, the 5th Marine Regimen was ordered to deploy to Iraq in February 2006. During this 12-month deployment Pvt. 1st Class Dow was promoted to lance corporal in Fallujah, Iraq, in September 2006. Lance Cpl. Dow returned Jan. 30, 2007, to Camp Pendleton, Calif. In September 2007, Lance Cpl. Dow was promoted to corporal at Camp Pendleton, Calif. During January 2008, Cpl. Dow was ordered to deploy again, with the 5th Marine Regiment, for a second tour in Iraq. Cpl. Dow was stationed at Al Asad Air Base, Al Anbar Province. After his second deployment in Iraq, Cpl. Dow returned to Camp Pendleton, Calif., and received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps, March 21, 2009. Upon his discharge Gary returned to Chesapeake, Va., and was in the Marine Corps Inactive Ready Reserve. Cpl. Dow’s awards include Marine Corps Certificate of Appreciation; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, with one gold star; Iraqi Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Medal; National Defense Service Medal and Marine Corps Expert Rifle and Pistol badges. Gary seemed to have trouble adjusting to civilian life. He spoke many times about going back to active duty in the Marine Corps or attending college using the GI Bill. Gary loved to travel. He enjoyed going to Maine and to Puerto Rico, and he loved California. He enjoyed spending time with family, friends and his Marine Corps buddies. He always had a smile on his face. He was a very compassionate, friendly, social and caring person. He will be missed by everybody who knew him. He will be greatly missed by his parents, Gary and Dalila, of Chesapeake, Va.; his grandmother, Beverly M. Dow of Dover-Foxcroft; and his grandparents, Faustino and Mercedes Ayala of Puerto Rico. Friends are invited to call 2-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, at Lary Funeral Home, Dover-Foxcroft. A graveside funeral service with military honors will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 8, at Lee Cemetery, Dover-Foxcroft, with the Rev. Kent Oullette officiating. Messages of condolence and memories may be expressed at www.laryfuneralhome.com.
CPL. GARY L. DOW II
