Robert "Bob" Dow (77) of Xenia

Robert “Bob” Jay Dow, 77, of Xenia, IL passed away at 6:17 p.m. Monday, July 17, 2023 at Clay County Hospital in Flora, IL.

Bob was born June 20, 1946, in Effingham IL, the son of Everett and Leona (Farris) Dow, who preceded him in death. Bob married Janice “Kaye” Stanford on January 20, 1979. Together they raised six children and thoroughly enjoyed their grandchildren: Kim (Troy) Welty of Xenia and their sons Landon (Kaitlyn), Lane (Emily), and Carson; Matthew Bickley of Louisville, IL and his son, Gavin; Jay (Sandi) Dow of Phoenix, AZ, Shannon (Alex) Grynkewich of Shaw Air Force Base, SC and their son, Justin; Cory (Ashley) Mark of Victoria, VA and their daughters Madison Kaye and Destiny; and Sarah (Daniel) Henson of Nashville, TN and their children Micah and Piper Kaye. Bob dearly loved his great-grandchildren, Landrey Kaye, Easton, Quinn and Briggs. In addition to his children and grandchildren, Bob is survived by his brother, Jim (Lisa) Dow of Flora, IL and their sons Brian (Tessa), George and Jeremy as well as his sister-in-law, Jill (Ed) Dawkins of Louisville, IL.

Bob graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in ag business which set in motion his esteemed agricultural career – starting as an educator at Cisne High School, moving into ag sales, establishing his own farm in 1983, and then joining the ag insurance industry in the early 2000s. Bob retired from Hudson Crop Insurance in 2018 returning to the industry in 2022 to serve as the Director of Compliance for Advanced AgProtection. Bob was a member of Louisville Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School and served as a deacon for many years. He was active in local politics, serving as a Clay County Board Member, as well as the Clay County Health Department, and Clay County Housing Authority. Bob was a member of the Elks and Moose clubs. Bob will be remembered for his straightforward approach, his unique wisdom and insight, and how he led with generosity in everything he did.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy can be made through donations to the Bob Dow Memorial Fund offering college scholarships to aspiring ag professionals in the local area. Donations can be accepted at the funeral home or via Venmo at @bobdowmemorialfund.

Arrangements are being handled by McGriff Funeral Home in Flora, IL. Services will be held at their Flora Location (500 W. 12th St). Family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 on Friday, July 21, 2023; funeral service will be at 10:00 on Saturday, July 22, 2023, with Pastor Kelly Carruthers officiating. Burial will follow at the Golden Cemetery rural Flora. To sign the guestbook online or share a memory of Bob, please visit by clicking here.