By Joe

January 19, 2012 10:40 AM | Link to this

I’ve only been to a comedy club once in my life about 20 years ago. It just so happened that Dow Thomas was performing that night. I remember his show being quite entertaining! The guy was certainly no stranger to Dayton and will be missed.

By me

January 19, 2012 10:46 AM | Link to this

“Sail Cats flying in the sky…” Wow, brings back memories. Back when going out was a lot more fun. (could it have actually been more fun, or were we all just a lot younger then?)

By Jim

January 19, 2012 11:04 AM | Link to this

He was a talented musician as well! Sad that we would lose Dow and Tom Scheidt within a couple months of each other! Classic entertainers!

By Steve Watkins

January 19, 2012 11:10 AM | Link to this

BAM…BAM…BAM… “Power & Light!!” R.I.P. Mr. Thomas…Gone far too soon.

By Nora

January 19, 2012 11:13 AM | Link to this

I fondly remember going to see Dow Thomas at a bar in Kettering numerous times. He was a great comedian and musician and will be missed.

By Brad

January 19, 2012 11:14 AM | Link to this

Remembrances of Dow’s songcraft: “Sail Cats,” “Power and Light,” “The Wonderful World of Toilet Paper,” and “Get that Juice up to Lawson’s in 40 hours.” He was great fun.

By Don W

January 19, 2012 11:24 AM | Link to this

Remembering when: Dow and Astrid was a great guy-girl act, usually at the Trolly Stop. For quite a few years they brought a quality comedy and musical routine to us at no or little cover … giving the Oregon district a classic professional quality. Their music was whimsical, listenable, poignant, and highly entertaining and their comedy was a blast!

By Doc

January 19, 2012 11:56 AM | Link to this

Damn!!! SO sorry to read this. RIP funny guy. You will be missed…

By Susan Saiger

January 19, 2012 12:04 PM | Link to this

Dow and I did 3 plays in Dayton in the early seventies…We were directed by Paul Lane in all three..He played Romeo to my Juliet… two young kids wanting to be serious actors. Years later we reunited in Florida doing several stand up shows… We were hoping to do Wiley’s together as two former Datonites…but sadly he left us before that happened. RIP my sweet prince. You will be missed. All thoughts go out to his amazing wife Kay Thomas.

By Glus

January 19, 2012 12:20 PM | Link to this

Power and Light BAM BAM BAM!!

By JB

January 19, 2012 12:30 PM | Link to this

I’ll never forget seeing Dow wearing the monkey mask and singing the “Funky Monkee Blues” at the Trolley Stop. What great times. RIP Dow and condolences to his family.

By Deb

January 19, 2012 1:41 PM | Link to this

Everyone knew he was very funny but I will remember the songs he wrote that were revealing and poignant. My favorite, “Sailing Away”. He will be missed by many people that loved him.

By Brendan Maloney

January 19, 2012 1:51 PM | Link to this

Dow and I met in ‘71 at the Upper Krust, and he let me jam with him on my flute when I could take a break from dishwashing chores. I introduced two fellow Chaminade musicians to Dow, and we became the first of many “Toe Jammers.” I lived in a “hippie household” with Dow, Astrid, and a couple of other wonderful characters; and when “last call” occurred at 2 a.m., the jam session often continued at our house for another few hours… Ah, to be young again! Well, in some ways, I managed to never grow up, and perhaps in the ways that count, so did Dow. I will miss you, brother Dow - the good, the bad, and the weird!

By Bill Glover

January 19, 2012 3:59 PM | Link to this

I got to know Dow at Bruns Cafe (where Rite-Aid is now at Patterson and Wilmington) in the mid 80’s. After I started putting funny sayings on the marque on the side of Bruns if I ever got writers block Dow would pop in and ask what I was trying to make a joke about. Together we’d sit there tossing around different ideas and subjects and end up with weeks worth of material for the sign. Thank you Dow you always were the best.

By Phillip and Kristy Herres

January 19, 2012 4:00 PM | Link to this

Wow! We were there on New Years and he appeared weak but very entertaining! What a sweet, funny person and he will be missed. ((hugs)) to his wife who was so much a part of the show.

By Ken Routson Cincinnati Ohio

January 19, 2012 4:02 PM | Link to this

I met Dow at the uppercrust in 1971 and we became good friends. He wrote a song about my roommate Bruce entitled I GOT TO GO. I hope someone will produce the songs that he wrote so the world can share his beautiful songs !!

By Holly

January 19, 2012 4:03 PM | Link to this

I thought Dow would be one to live forever…a legend he will be. I remember always requesting the serious song, “Cathedral.” He always play it and it was AMAZING….Dow, you will live on in the hearts of all you met. Kay, you have my sincerest sympathies.

By sheri

January 19, 2012 4:22 PM | Link to this

I worked at Clancy’s Tavern many years ago. At the end of the night I always begged Dow to play Cathedral…..loved that song and he was so awesome :) great memories.

By Tom D

January 19, 2012 4:46 PM | Link to this

I asked my wife to marry me as Dow (and Astrid) performed… I believe the bar at the time was called the Iron Boar and become Wileys later on. Saw him many times before and after… What a loss!

By Kenny Allen

January 19, 2012 5:36 PM | Link to this

I worked with Dow on Saturday Night Dead at WKEF. Always a fun professional guy. Sadly, I saw he was performing in Florida a few years ago but I couldn’t make it to see him while I was there. I bet he and Doctor Creep are having a ball in heaven! RIP

By Scott Huffman

January 19, 2012 5:44 PM | Link to this

Rest in peace, Dow. You were one of my best friends and I’m going to miss you.

By Ann C

January 19, 2012 8:57 PM | Link to this

I first saw Dow at the original Wiley’s..I was pregnant and the Saturday night before Easter…He made phone calls back then to unsuspecting folks…He called my mother-in-law and told her I was passed out in the bathroom, and she was upset and said she better not be she is pregnant…Our family came to love Dow and I was quite skillful at landing a paper plate on his hat…I would love to take someone who had never seen him before, priceless…He was a talented musician as well, I loved to hear him play Cathedral. My husbands favorite Sail Cats and Electric Chair. We always make Dow’s Christmas music a part of our holiday tradition. Say Hello to Dr. Creep for us!!! For us we are sad,but we will carry a little morbid side of you the rest of our lives. The Corbin Family, Paul, Ann, Kylea Corbin Frei and husband Jordan, Carol Zahn

By carl m

January 19, 2012 9:15 PM | Link to this

We use to see Dow at Clancy’s many years ago. Favorite was “Sail Cats”.

By Pat Flanagan

January 19, 2012 11:58 PM | Link to this

Dow a special person. He played my pub back in the early 80’s. You never knew what Dow would do next on stage. He was such fun to watch. You will be missed old friend.

By David G

January 20, 2012 12:46 AM | Link to this

Kenny Allen please contact me about Saturday Night Dead

By Julie

January 20, 2012 5:05 AM | Link to this

I remember him from Clancy’s and he would hurl paper plates like a frisbie. What a creative mind he had, he will always be remembered in Dayton.

By Deborah Jiles

January 20, 2012 10:07 AM | Link to this

You brought so much joy and laughter! You will be greatly missed!

By RJ

January 20, 2012 1:20 PM | Link to this

RIP Dow, saw you many times at The Iron Boar, Clancy’s etc. You were right about one thing: “There ain’t nothing as obnoxious in the world as a loud-mouth fat girl”

By John

January 20, 2012 1:59 PM | Link to this

Thank you Dow for helping make me the highest paid bartender in Dayton for a while. You and “the group’, varied as they may have been, were always entertaining and a joy to work with. I know there is great saddness in your passing but you will always be remembered as a huge talent and a hell of a nice guy! I last saw you here in Florida, wish I had gone more often. You will be missed.

By Ice Bandit

January 21, 2012 7:54 AM | Link to this

…”there must be 50 ways to kill your mother. Hit her with a pan, Stan…” RIP Dow…

By r.s.

January 21, 2012 11:16 AM | Link to this

Yes, he did look like an undertaker…and when he was with Astrid he drove a hearse so stands to reason! He will be greatly missed!! My sincere condolences to his family!!

By A man's soul......

January 21, 2012 8:30 PM | Link to this

I moved from Dayton in 1971, but still had family/friends in the area. (still do). My Father died in 1987 and I returned to Dayton to bury him. I was pretty much in despair…until a friend who knew Dow (I didn’t know him, or knew who he was) had Dow come out to meet me after his performance at a local establishment. I had decided to not attend…(was picking my friend up in the car)…due to the frame of mind I was in and the circumstances of my visit. I was introduced to Dow….and was laughing so hard within 2 minutes I had to catch my breath! Dow then breached the subject of my father’s death, my despair, and to me…a complete stranger..put it all in perspective and calmed me down, with the utmost respect to me and the death of my Dad. This is the man we have all lost. My Father is thanking Dow for taking care, and caring, for his despondent son. I thought all of you should know this. As God has the best sense of humor (after all…he created everything…including comedy)…he and Dow are laughing at each of each others jokes…and cruising around eternity having the best of times. I met Dow once…but felt I’ve known him all my life. We’ll be with him again…the comraderie will be wonderful. I grieve with all of you, and pray you’ll think more of him and smile…than grieve. Love to you all.

By Catharine

January 21, 2012 10:23 PM | Link to this

How quickly the memories come back. I had forgotten about long ago seeing Dow at Clancy’s and hearing Sail Cats and trying to get the paper plate on his hat. Thanks for the smiles, Dow. God Bless!

By A man well-suited to do comedy

January 23, 2012 12:41 AM | Link to this

I’m so fond of and grateful for the period in my life when I knew Dow. He took a bunch of us under his wing during Wiley’s Open Mic Nights 20 years ago, encouraged and helped us with a writers’ workshop - and lots of care and laughter. What a fun time for all of us. Dow, you will forever be missed but never be forgotten. ~ Michael Podoyak