Feb 05 2009
John R. Stowe: Another Beautiful Spirit Joins the Ancestors
The GLBT community experienced another loss this year. Author and organizer John R. Stowe has passed beyond the veil. Thanks to my friend, West, for pointing this out to me. White Crane Journal sent out an email with the information. Apparently, John R. Stowe passed quite suddenly.
John is probably most known for his book, Gay Spirit Warrior: A Handbook for Men Who Love Men. He’s also written Earth Spirit Warrior as well as several books on plant essences and oils. He most recently lived in Decatur, GA where he practiced body-centered therapy. He is survived by his partner, Monte and a large circle of friends.
I’ve spoken before on this blog about the Queer Spirit and the idea that even though many of us in the GLBT community don’t have biological children, we have spiritual ancestors. When one of us passes, their energies mingle with the Queer Spirit and they become a spirit ancestor to those of us that seek their wisdom. While John’s passing is certainly a loss to us all, he will live on and may his energy and wisdom inspire the next generation.
This year has seen several losses in the GLBT community: Del Martin, Martin Delaney, and now John R. Stowe. But we will not forget them, and its my hope that they’ll inspire each of us to step forward and continue the work they started.
Thank you for your remembrance of John Stowe. He was a truly remarkable man and I was privileged to have been his partner for the past 25 years. His work in the community crossed so many cultures and he was loved by literally hundreds of people whom he had a personal connection with. And everyone of them had a story of how he helped them in some way. Sometimes it was what he called the “Get Over It Mary School of Healing” and sometimes it was just spending a little time with another and telling them how beautiful and powerful they were and to claim it - and when you feel like you’ll never make it - put on some dance music and shake your titties!
John had recently left the bodywork practice and earned a degree in Applied Linguistics from Georgia State where he taught ESL for the past 3 years. This placed him in the international community where he experienced several of his great loves in life - speaking other languages, meeting people from other countries, eating the food of those countries and teaching, teaching, teaching. Please go to the Facebook memorial page - On Reminiscence of John Stowe and check out the web page set up in his honor - johnstowememorialfund.com.
There are writings and copies of his books available as well as pictures from his life and the memorial service.
John died very suddenly and his loss has left a hole in the fabric of the universe, as far as I am concerned.
Thank you -
Monty