Pamela Oldow

Jul 6, 1932 -

Mar 11, 2025

Pamela Florence Oldow, 92, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2025, at home in Oak Harbor, Wash. Pam was born on July 6, 1932, in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, to William Hall Paine and Ida Pamela Knowles.

Pam was born happy and known for her joyful spirit and her legendary hugs - both of which she shared freely throughout her life.

Pam grew up in the semi-rural community of Strawberry Vale in Victoria, surrounded by a loving extended family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. As a teenager, she was honored to be a member of Norman "Cappy" Foster's Victoria Girls Drill Team, a precision marching unit that performed in parades up and down the coast. In school, she excelled in typing, shorthand and math - skills that would serve her well throughout her life.

Pam met Ray Clarke at a local dance, whom she later married. Together they welcomed four children into their family: Bruce, Bryan, Linda-Rae and Richard. Even as a young mother Pam was determined to continue her education. She attended night classes at Sprott Shaw College, an all-business school in Victoria. Ray, a builder of ranch-style houses eventually constructed one for their growing family. Although their marriage ended in 1962, Pam remained close to Ray's family, a testament to her deep capacity for love and connection.

As a single mother, Pam put her clerical training to work holding various office jobs before securing a position at Black Ball Transport in Victoria – her best paying and most beloved job to date. It was there that fate intervened when she met Don Oldow, captain of the MV Coho. Their connection blossomed into marriage on July 8, 1967.

Together with Don's children, John and Kathleen, their blended family grew.

Shortly before their wedding, Don accepted a position as captain with the Alaska State Ferry System and, in July 1967, the family relocated to Seward, Alaska.

Pam soon became an integral part of the community working for Reasor, Tunley and Ross law firm, and later as secretary at William H. Seward Elementary. Passionate about civic engagement, she served on the Seward City Council, the Seward General Hospital Board, the Seward Chamber of Commerce and represented Seward on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly. In 1972, Pam gained her United States citizenship.

Fully embracing the Alaskan lifestyle, Pam hiked, skied, snowshoed and hunted for moose and ptarmigan. She enjoyed foraging for mushrooms and picking blueberries and cranberries. She mastered the art of basketry weaving and showcased her artistic talent - one of her paintings was selected to hang in the governor's mansion in Juneau in 1968.

Pam and Don began offering fishing charters on their 25- foot cabin cruiser, Westerly. Their business grew and a larger boat was soon needed. In 1976, with Don now piloting oil tankers in and out of Valdez, Pam took it upon herself to keep their summer fish chartering business running. Determined to take the helm, she studied for and passed the U.S. Coast Guard examination, earning her captain's license for a 50-ton vessel. Pam made history in 1976 as one of the first women in the world to earn a captain's license for a 50-ton vessel.

Pam played a vital role in changing perceptions and opening opportunities for women in the maritime industry. She was a trail blazer in a male-dominated field. Pam's adventurous spirit and love for nature led her to pioneer wildlife and sightseeing tours of Resurrection Bay. Her first tour of the bay had just two paying customers, but word spread quickly. The company expanded and Pam was soon licensed for a 100 gross-ton vessel in 1978.

In 1977-1978, most Seward residents voiced strong opposition to the idea of the federal government's proposal to close vast areas of wilderness and turn the mountains and tidewater glaciers surrounding their town into a national monument. Pam shared those fears. The City Council unanimously passed resolutions in 1975 and, in 1977, opposing the national monument with the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly following suit. In 1978, Pam was hired by the National Park Service to rendezvous with Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior under President Carter, as he was being flown into Aialik Bay to board the MV Shaman. This trip would enable Secretary Andrus to determine if the area met the qualifications and standards to become a national park. While awaiting Secretary Andrus' arrival Pam decided to throw out a fishing line.

The park service plane was circling above just as Pam landed a 28-pound king salmon. After providing an exceptional tour, complete with a king salmon catch, Pam commented, "I think we just gave away a park." Kenai Fjords was designated a national monument in 1978, and changed into a national park in 1981. Pam's opinion, along with most of Seward's residents, changed 180 degrees.

The park was beautiful and pristine. It needed to be preserved and shared. Resolutions opposing the park were unanimously rescinded.

In 1983, Kenai Fjords Tours was formed with partners Jack and Sheila Scoby. The company grew from a fishing charter business in the 1970s into the largest cruise service in the park. Pam was soon licensed for a 100 gross-ton vessel. Kenai Fjords Tours Inc. grew exponentially.

Pam's passion for the area, combined with her entrepreneurial spirit, helped shape Seward's tourism industry into what it is today. Her deep connection to the land and sea made her a beloved figure among locals and visitors alike.

Pam made a significant impact on Alaska's business landscape, earning recognition both locally and nationally for her contributions. In 1988, the New York Times featured her in an article titled "A Place That Sums Up Alaska." Two years later, the Los Angeles Times ran a similar article. Pam was inducted into Alaska's Business Hall of Fame in 1990. Her passion, leadership, innovation and dedication made her a role model for future entrepreneurs.

The partners sold Kenai Fjords in 1993. Pam and Don retired and enjoyed traveling the world, eventually settling in the Pacific Northwest.

Pam was predeceased by her husband, Donald J. Oldow; and son, Richard O. Oldow. She is survived by her children, Bruce (Susan) Clarke, Bryan (Katielynn) Clarke and Linda-Rae Olsen; and stepchildren, John (Lynda) Oldow and Kathleen (Bill) Stover; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 21, 2025, at 1 p.m. PST, at Wallin-Stucky Funeral Home, 1811 NE 16th Avenue #A, Oak Harbor, WA 98277.