James E. Dow

James "Sonny" Edward Dow, Jr., 70, was called home on July 14, 2018 due to a long-term illness.  James was born in Albany, NY on December 5, 1947 to the late Queenie Anne Mackey Dow Vice and James Vice.  James was baptized at Morning Star Baptist Church in Albany, NY.

James graduated from Philip Schuyler High School and went on to take several courses at Albany Business College and Sage Colleges.  James wrestled and played football in high school.  He was the first member of the family to make it to the State Championship while wrestling in school.  James also studied Judo, Art and Photography.

James was an all-around sports guy.  He was a diehard Cowboys fan as well as a Knicks fan.  He was a life guard at Lincoln Park and he enjoyed ice skating, hockey and bike riding.  He also loved fishing, archery and hunting with his cousins.  Besides Art, James loved music.  He loved playing his drums in the park.  His favorite artists were Bob Marley, James Brown and Michael Jackson.  He also enjoyed watching soap operas.  James also loved to cook.  He loved cookouts with a passion.

During the early years, James served his community as a Building Inspector for the City of Albany where he built strong relationships with the Mayor and his community.  He then went on to be a building manager for Public Housing.  After many years of working for the city, James worked various construction jobs throughout New York State.

James loved his community.  He was a prayer warrior and a peace activist.  He was one of the original members of the Guardian Angels Albany Chapter.  James also worked for the Board of Elections as an inspector for the polls every year.  He volunteered his time to Meals on Wheels and he also served the Lord in numerous capacities in several churches in the capital district, including Metropolitan Church, Israel Temple, New Covenant and the Sister Maureen Joyce Center.  Every year James would cook for the Metropolitan’s Annual Cookout.  James was very well known and respected in his community.

More than anything else James loved God and his family.  James was a devoted Christian, father, brother, uncle, cousin and friend.  Married to Martha J. Kratz in 1973; out of that union came his daughter, Angelique Maria Dow.

Surviving James Dow is his daughter Angelique and his grandchildren, Eisha M. Dow, Rayshawn J. Johnson Jr. (TX), Stephanie M. Deer and Alisha Anne Deer.

Also surviving James are his siblings, Johnniemae Dow- Miller (SC), Marguerite Dow (CT), Florence Dow-Gayle, Louise Dow-Danzy, Johnnie Dow Jr., Donald Vice, Jackie Vice, Willie (Billy) Vice and Richard Vice and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews, one uncle, Benjamin (Bennie) Mackey, one aunt, Ruth Salmond-Williams- Pounds and one goddaughter Sheila Salmond-Robinson and a host of friends including his best friend, Joe Jackson.  James is predeceased by 3 siblings, Joseph Dow, Barbara Ann Vice and Doris Dow.

Services will be held at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Albany, NY.  The viewing will be at 10am, Services at 11am. Following the service, we will proceed to Memory Gardens.  Donations can be made in c/o to Angelique Dow.