Southlake mourning the loss of former Mayor Clow

The City of Southlake, and the Southlake Community, is mourning the loss of former Mayor Les Clow. He passed away on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017 at the age of 99.

Clow served as Southlake Mayor from 1967 to 1973. Like many Southlake families who moved to Southlake in the 1950s, Clow had ties to the airline industry. As a co-pilot for American Airlines, he met his wife of 69 years, Virginia, who worked as a stewardess. The family made Southlake their home in 1958. Les and Virginia raised their two daughters, Ann and Carol, in Southlake and were very active in the community.

“I was so sad when I heard about Mayor Clow’s passing,” said Mayor Laura Hill. “He and Virginia contributed so much to our community. Their work set the stage for the success Southlake currently enjoys, and we are all grateful for his service and many contributions. He will be missed.”

In 1972, The Clows founded Southlake Realty with partner Mike O’Brien; later Harold Knight also became a partner. Les and Virginia were active members and strong supporters of Southlake Sister Cities. Virginia was a part of the first Southlake delegation visit to Tome City, Japan, in 1991. Les and his family started The Clow Family Fund of the North Texas Community Foundation in memory of Virginia, who passed away in 2015.

Southlake Sister Cities President Kiko Ekstrom has fond memories of the Clow family and their involvement with the program. “They were so generous to Southlake Sister Cities, both with their time and support of the foundation,” Ekstom notes. “Our Sister Cities friends in Japan always ask about the family. They were very supportive of the program and would volunteer to host students. When they got older, they always made sure to be supportive in any way they could. Sister Cities will truly miss them.”

Mr Clow is survived by their daughter Ann Swirczynski (Virgil) of Aubrey, TX; daughter Carol Pye (Charles) of Louisville, KY; grandson Michael Swirczynski (Mandy); granddaughter Leah Pye; and great granddaughters Allison & Madeline Swirczynski.

A celebration of his life will be at 3:00 PM, Sunday, September 10, at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Southlake.