Daniel Jonathan Stowe

Daniel Jonathan Stowe
Daniel Jonathan Stowe, of Charlotte, died Monday, July 24, 2006 at his residence. He was born the youngest child of Nellie Lee Rhyne Stowe and Robert Lee Stowe on May 23, 1913 in Belmont, NC. His siblings included a sister, Lillian Rhyne Stowe, who died before his birth, brother, Robert Lee Stowe, Jr., and sister, Ellen Catherine Stowe Pharr. He was the last surviving member of this family. Mr. Stowe married Alene Nobles on August 16, 1983. His extended family includes three nephews, Robert Lee Stowe III, Daniel Harding Stowe and Richmond Harding Stowe, one niece, Catherine Ann Pharr Carstarphen, one stepdaughter, Sheryl Buck Boone, one stepson, Stephen Thomas Buck, thirteen grand nieces and nephews, three step granddaughters, and one step grandson. He was preceded in death by a nephew, William James Pharr, Jr.
Dan was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church in Belmont and served on the building committee for the present church building.
Mr. Stowe graduated from Belmont Abbey Junior College in 1932 and Davidson College in 1935. In 1936, he began work with his father and brother in the yarn business.
Dan Stowe enlisted in the Navy in 1942. He commanded a patrol boat based in Jacksonville, Florida and later was promoted to Naval Operations in Charleston, South Carolina and Washington, D.C.
In May of 1939, he pursued a new opportunity in partnership with his father, Robert Lee Stowe, and his brother-in-law, William James Pharr. The Depression, river floods and neglect left the former McAden Mills in McAdenville closed and bankrupt. These new partners renamed the company Stowe Mills and went about building one of North Carolina's largest and most successful companies. Continuing to grow and pursuing new opportunities with synthetic yarns, Pharr Yarns, Inc. was created in 1950. Dan Stowe retired after 51 years at the age of 77.
Following retirement, his primary focus was the creation of the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. He took an active interest in the master plan and the organizational work that made the garden a reality. He was assisted in this by his wife, Alene, William L. Steele, who became the first Executive Director and others such as Ann Crammond, Director of the Atlanta Botanical Garden and William Lee, Chairman of Duke Power Company. Mr. Stowe donated the prime land where the Garden is situated. He also has given generously to provide the financial support necessary to build a major garden.
It is a fitting final accomplishment for Dan Stowe. His family has a background in farming in Gaston County. His father was born on a farm in the South Point area and although he later became a textile manufacturer, he taught Dan to have an appreciation for nature and the land. Dan and his wife, Alene, have been enthusiastic gardeners and he has carefully nurtured his own farm, Seven Oaks, which he has owned since the 1940's. Finally, his great love of Gaston County is reflected in this lasting gift. Dan could have lived anywhere in the world, but his heart and home have always been in Gaston County.
Dan Stowe was the recipient of numerous awards including an honorary doctorate from Belmont Abbey College in 1994, the Order of the Longleaf Pine, and The Sims Award.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 26, 2006 at the Robert Lee Stowe Visitor Pavilion, 6500 South New Hope Rd., Belmont, NC 28012. Funeral services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 South New Hope Rd., Belmont, NC 28012 or to First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 1, Belmont, NC 28012.
Harry and Bryant Company is serving the family of Mr. Stowe.