Gregory "Greg" K. Blow

Gregory "Greg" K. Blow, age 81, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Wednesday, November 25, 2025.  Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown.  Pastor Craig Werling will officiate.  

Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown.

Greg was born November 21, 1944 in Louisiana to Merritt and Edythe Blow, who were both from South Dakota.  Greg grew up in Louisville, Kentucky.  Frequent trips “home” to South Dakota and summer jobs at his uncle’s Vermillion livestock farm created a bond with the state. 

After his freshman year at the University of Kentucky, Greg transferred to the University of South Dakota in 1964.  In 1967 he graduated from USD, where he became a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.  Life-long friendships began there, and his passion for hunting and fishing grew.  It was no surprise that he would eventually put down roots in South Dakota.

After graduation, he attended law school at the University of Louisville and began working in the political world of his hometown.  The Vietnam War interrupted law school for Greg. He joined the US Army, received a direct commission as a Second Lieutenant and served in Army Intelligence units.  His first assignment was in Germany, the beginning of his European travels.  Touring Europe became a life-long passion.  Passport pages filled with entry stamps underscore his love of travel.

Captain Blow was honorably discharged from the Army in 1973.  Soon after, he returned to his adopted state and entered the banking business with the Mitchell National Bank trust department.   His love for fishing and hunting flourished, and sailing…yes, sailing…filled many weekends. Though no longer on active duty, his Army connections continued. He joined the Army National Guard and served through his retirement in 2001, achieving the rank of Major.

Greg worked in the trust departments of banks in South Dakota, Indiana, Wyoming, and Nebraska before settling in Watertown, were he made his home.  And in Watertown his roots spread deeply.

He was actively involved with the Watertown Area Community Foundation.  After retiring from Great Western Bank (now First Interstate Bank) he volunteered and served as the organization’s Development Director.  He also served on the Watertown Artwalk committee.  Rotary was always important to Greg, and from 1998 he was an active member of the Watertown Rotary Club. In 2002, he was its president.

Greg lived at Lake Kampeska and was an active, longtime member of the Lake Kampeska Water Project District, serving as its president for the past four years.  A fellow board member described Greg as a “committed leader.”

In recent years, Greg became an enthusiastic supporter of The School of St. Jude in Tanzania.  He visited the school, sponsored students and raised funds to support St. Jude and its students.  The school’s mission…”Fueling Change”…attracted Greg.   St. Jude brings in the brightest students from the most impoverished families in Tanzania, opening opportunities for these students that would not have been possible.  Greg visited students’ homes and met their families, creating meaningful connections. The school was very important to him.

Greg’s family knows he would appreciate your support for The American Friends of the School of St. Jude.  For information, please visit the website:  afstjude.org/support-us/

Greg is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Candy and Roy McAllister; one brother Eric; nephews Sean and Adam McAllister; and four grandnieces and a grandnephew.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown and Hayti

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