Obituary of John Walter Yow

John Walter Yow, age 88, passed to his eternal home on January 3, 2025. John was born on April 29, 1936, in Randolph County, North Carolina to James and Mae Yow. The family moved to the White Cross Community near Chapel Hill when he was eighteen months old, where he grew up with his five sisters. He learned to work the land at an early age as his family farmed tobacco, raised chickens and hogs, and sold flowers and vegetables at farmers’ markets in Chapel Hill and Burlington.

John was a veteran having served in the U.S. Army at Ft. Lewis in Tacoma, Washington. Following military service, he married Betty Sue Neville on April 15, 1961. John worked with his in-laws in the dairy business at Mount View Farm for eleven years before starting John W. Yow Grading and Septic Systems, which eventually included his sons, Walter and Gerry. His farming life led to selling all natural Angus beef products from Valley View Farm in recent years with assistance from Betty Sue and son Keith, both at local farmers’ markets and directly from the farm.

John was a mechanical genius who could keep equipment running and he was always ready to share his opinion on most any subject. He worked hard at all jobs and taught his sons the value of hard work as well. He was especially happy to share farm life with his grandchildren and others who came to visit, riding them on his Gator to see the cows. He usually had his farm dogs as his faithful companions wherever he went.

John enjoyed fishing trips to the NC coast each fall with family and friends from White Cross for many years. He had a house at Lake Mayo where family and friends gathered in summer months for 4^th of July celebrations and birthday parties. John was a big Carolina sports fan.

John is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty Sue Yow, sons Walter Yow (Sharon), Keith Yow (Beth Landis), grandchildren Allyson Hodges (Jonathan), Preston Yow (Beth), Great-grandchildren Avelyn, Dawson and Tatum, as well as friend Kristi Provinsky.

John was preceded in death by his son Gerry Yow, his daughter-in-law Shannon Yow, his parents, and his sisters Mary Carden, Beatrice Gaydou, Doris Stafford, Glenda Mauer and Patsy Yow.

A memorial service with a reception to follow will be held at 2:00pm, Saturday, January 11, 2025, at Antioch Baptist Church, 1707 White Cross Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516. The family will receive friends from 1:00pm until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Antioch Baptist Church.