Date of Birth:
Wednesday, April 7, 1937
Date of Death:
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Age:
78 years old

John “Jack” Prow

The Funeral Mass for John “Jack” Prow will be 11:00AM Friday, February 5, 2016 at St. Pius X Catholic Church officiated by Rev. Paul Nelson. Friends are invited one hour prior to the Mass at the church on Friday (10:00am to 11:00am). Military honors will be provided by American Legion Post 92 at the church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Mr. Prow, age 78, passed away January 31, 2016 at his home of natural causes.

He was born April 7, 1937 at St. Cloud, Minnesota. He grew up there and moved to Rochester with his family during his high school years. He graduated from Lourdes High School in 1955. He then served in the US Air Force. He worked at K-Mart and Kahler Hotel as his first jobs.

In 1952 the Prow family built and opened The Prow’s Motel where John worked as a front desk clerk. On December 17, 1957 The Prow Company was formed as a business specializing in a commercial real estate development. Jack later became its CEO and president, positions he held for over forty years. He retired in October of 2015.

In 1964 he was considered one of Rochester’s most eligible bachelors and was chair for the Ms. Minnesota pageant. He met Marlene Prout in 1966. The couple had one daughter, Debra Gustafson.
As president of The Prow Company, Jack purchased several businesses in Rochester including, but not limited to The Fashion Tree Women’s Clothing Store, the Carlton Hotel (the current Days Inn Downtown), The Maxwell House and the Parker Hotel (currently The Civic Inn). He also had his hand in the purchase and reconstruction of the old Wonder Bread Factory building where Workforce Development resided for several years. Jack’s accomplishments are far too long to list. He had a heart so big, having helped several Rochester area businesses get their feet in the door and become successful. He leaves behind a great legacy that his daughter and grandchildren will carry on.

He is survived by his daughter Debra (David) Gustafson of Rochester; two brothers, Donald (Barb) Prow and Thomas (Laura) Prow both of Rochester; grandchildren Jacqueline Batista of Monroe, WI ; Nicholas Gustafson, Travis Gustafson, Dawntaya Fullilove, Tyree Gustafson and Tamisha Gaustafson, all of Rochester. In addition, ten great grandchildren survive. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marcel and Marie (Brausch) Prow, two brothers, Gerald and Mark Prow, a sister, Marilou Henderlite and a grandson, Brandon Gustafson.

Macken Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.