Philip Irvin Clow

Philip Irvin Clow, age 81, a resident of Davidsonville since 1974 died November 11, 2014. Born July 27, 1933, and raised in Weems Creek in Annapolis, he was the youngest son of the late Florence Carson and John J. Clow, Sr. He was the owner operator of Annapolis Radiator and Body shop since 1967. He was in the US Army from 1953 til 1955 and spent most of his time in Germany. When he was 17 years old, he took an interest in fastpitch softball and taught himself how to pitch by nailing a peach basket to the side of a shed and pitching to the basket. He went on to become one of the best pitchers in the Annapolis City Fastpitch Softball League until the league folded in the late 1980's. He sponsored the Annapolis Radiator Softball Team which won many league, regional and tournament championships. He was an avid bowler and held the record for high game at the Colonial Annapolis Bowling Lanes for 5 years. He restored many antique autos and trucks over the years winning a collection of awards, but his favorite was his 1946 Chevrolet Canopy Express. This was bought by his father when it was brand new and it was eventually sold. Phil traced it down and purchased it, and completely restored it to its original condition. Along with several friends and relatives he established the Davidsonville Horseshoe Club at his home in 1979, where league play was held every week in the spring and summer until the league disbanded in 2007. He and his wife enjoyed travelling to and playing in horseshoe tournaments. He enjoyed golfing and sponsored a number of charity golf tournaments. He was a member of the Buick Car Club of America, Buick Car Club of Md., Bay Country Chevrolet Car Club, and a lifetime member of Elks Lodge #622. He enjoyed working around his property and planting crops, especially his garden. He is survived by his wife, Lorraine Gertz Clow whom he married in 1974; children; Donna Moore of Snow Hill, Md., William Clow of Edgewater, Michael Clow of Delaware, Christi Clow of Davidsonville; 2 stepchildren, Edward "Sam" Traylor of Mayo, Susan Haneke of Edgewater; 12 grandchildren; 2 brothers, Melvin Clow of Annapolis and John Clow Jr. of Centreville; and a sister; Dorothy Terwilliger of Harwood. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Charles, Raymond and Lawrence Clow; and two sisters Bertha French and Leila Phillippe. Friends are invited to Philip's Life Celebration on Friday, November 14 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8pm at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD, where services will be held on Saturday, November 15 at 12 noon. Interment Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in Philip's name to Mission of Peace, 5 Dale Drive, Annapolis, MD 21403 or St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1370 Defense Highway, Gambrills, MD 21054.