Long time Antioch homebuilder, real estate developer and broker, Ralph Garrow, Sr. passes at 96
Ralph Garrow, Sr. at his desk.
OBITUARY
Ralph Ray Garrow, Sr.
November 16, 1917 – April 14, 2014
Born in Stockton with his twin brother Mel, the last of 11 brothers and sisters, Ralph graduated from Stagg High School and studied business after that. He came to Antioch before World War II to work for his brother Brag at the American Laundry and met his future wife, Eunice Higgins. He enlisted in the Army after Pearl Harbor in 1941 and was first stationed in Oklahoma. Eunice traveled to meet him in Kansas and they were married there on June 20, 1943. They were married for 61 years until Eunice passed away in 2004. After their wedding, Ralph served in the South Pacific Theatre on Eniwetok Atoll and the Philippines until 1946. On the troopship trip back after the war, Ralph read a real estate textbook and obtained his broker’s license after arriving home.
Active for over 50 years as a homebuilder, real estate developer and broker, he was instrumental in building over 5,000 homes in Antioch, Oakley and Brentwood plus brokering real estate sales. He helped launch the careers of dozens of real estate professionals with Ralph Garrow Real Estate and Delta Bay Real Estate. Ralph was a member of the Delta Association of REALTORS and its founding organization. The business he started continues today as Ralph Garrow Real Estate and is managed and operated by his family.
Eunice and Ralph vacationed yearly in the warm weather climes of Hawaii, Palm Desert and Boulder Creek and cherished their time spent with family and friends. Ralph loved playing golf and spent countless hours practicing his short game, fulfilling a dream when they moved from Antioch to a home on the fairway at Summerset in Brentwood in 2000. He and Eunice also enjoyed watching their thoroughbred horses race at Golden Gate Fields. His other hobbies were photography and the stock market. His drive, spirit, generosity and sense of humor will be missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his son Ralph Garrow, Jr. (Laurie) of Antioch, daughter Joslyn Missy Vigil (Kim) of Brentwood, grandchildren Alex and Ian Garrow of Antioch, Jasmine Sexton (Andre) of Oregon, Beau Vigil of Brentwood and Taylor Vigil of Rohnert Park, plus 3 great grandchildren, Bailey, Ethan and Judah Sexton. Ralph was preceded in death by his wife Eunice, father Alex, mother Lena, brothers El, Brag, Jack, Bob, Bill and Mel, plus sisters Ethel, Ruth, Lucille and Laverne. The family would like to thank the staffs of Westmont Compass Rose of Brentwood and Vitas Hospice for the special care and attention given Ralph during his final months.
A celebration of Ralph’s life will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2014 at Brentwood Funeral Home, 839 First St. in Brentwood with visitation at 10:00 AM and memorial service at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow in the Garrow family plot at Stockton Rural Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Ralph would have wanted you to give generously to your favorite charity.
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Ralph Garrow, Sr. at desk JPEG
