Jack Leon Snider

Our dad, Jack Leon Snider, 84, passed away peacefully with his daughters singing to him, on Saturday June 3, 2017, in Arroyo Grande, California, after a long and brave struggle with COPD.

He was born in Hampton, VA., to Marguerite and Clephous Snider. He was their only child. Dad grew up fishing on the Chesapeake Bay, in his little dingy, and from those childhood experiences he acquired a great love of the ocean and fishing.

At the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he was an Airman First Class. While on a troop ship destined for Japan, the men were asked for volunteers. His dad told him to never volunteer while he was in the service, but he and his friend both raised their hands. Much to their surprise, the men found themselves bound for Hickman Airbase in Honolulu, Hawaii.

There he met the love of his life, Julian (Waldo), and they were married May 23, 1953, at the Hickman Air Base Chapel. They were married for 60 years, before her passing in 2014. They went on to have four daughters: Jan (Steve) Hansen of Paso Robles, Judith Lynn (deceased), Susan (Jeff) Patterson of Arroyo Grande, and Cheryl Snider of Ventura, California; along with seven grandchildren: Travis (Nicole) Hansen, Bryce (Ann) Hansen, Wyatt (Michelle) Hansen, Emma (Miles) Rutherford, Katherine Patterson, Terra (Michael) Totton, and Blaze Barrett; and two great-grandchildren: Esme and Liam Totton.

After serving in the Air Force, dad became employed as a Lineman, with the General Telephone Company in Southern California. Moving the family to Arroyo Grande in 1962, he eventually retired from the company after 30 years.

Dad was an avid and passionate outdoorsman who taught us all how to camp, fish, hunt and take care of ourselves. Our home was always filled with his friends setting off or coming back from a fishing trip, and telling us great stories of the "fish that got away." His dearest friend, Bob Mayberry, was always there in all of his life's adventures right along beside him.

Dad was a member of the Friends of Bill W. in Arroyo Grande, Calif. for 29 years. Without the support of this group of people, we would not have had our dad, in our lives, the way we did. He sponsored and mentored men, young and old, at the California Men's Colony, the Paso Robles Boys School, the Sheriffs' Department Jail Division, and wherever else he could.

He will be remembered by all of us with love and as our "Rock," as he ruled our family from top to bottom. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at Marshall-Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel in Grover Beach, Calif.

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