Devoted husband and proud father, grandfather, and great grandfather John W. (Jack) Snodgrass passed away Friday evening, May 19, 2017 at 88 years old. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Francis of Assisi, 11401 Leesville Rd in the small chapel after gathering about 10:15 am. A celebration of his wonderful life will follow afterward at Raleigh Elks Lodge #735, 5538 Lead Mine Road.

Raised as an Army “brat” in Des Moines, Boise, and San Francisco, Jack enlisted at 18. A WWII Veteran, he served in the 24th Infantry Division, Army of Occupation, Kobe Japan. A skilled rider and trainer he co-founded the Arabian Horse association in Iowa early in his career as an insurance underwriter in Des Moines. His career took him and wife Carrol from South Sioux City NE to Des Moines IA to Littleton CO to Raleigh NC where he retired in 1995.

Known for his unmistakable resonant voice Jack always brought a smile to those around him with his quick wit and great sense of humor. He once played baseball with Joe DiMaggio, witnessed the horror of the atomic bomb devastation first hand, outshined Arthur Godfrey at a horse show, met Johnny Mathis, and so much more. Having lived on beautiful Angel Island in the early ‘40s, he truly left his heart in San Francisco. Jack loved music (jazz, swing, and big band era) and thoroughly enjoyed dancing. For decades a loyal Schlitz Beer drinker, he switched to Cabernet (for health reasons!) after surviving triple bypass surgery.

Jack was a devout Catholic and man of integrity; he made lasting friendships he maintained for life: he said what he meant and meant what he said. He always identified with John Wayne and old westerns. If any words epitomized Jack Snodgrass, it was the lyrics to “My Way” as sung by his favorite, Frank Sinatra. Jack is survived by his wife of almost 57 years, Carrol Snodgrass of Raleigh NC and a growing legacy of family. Daughter Chris Parsons lives in Gilroy CA near his granddaughters Jackie and Kelly Parsons. Son Joseph W. Snodgrass lives in Mesa AZ, father to grandchildren James W., Joanna and Jenna Snodgrass and step father to grandchildren Jennifer Rueck and Michael and Samantha Pulaskie. He has one great-grandson Jameson W. Snodgrass (JW Snodgrass IV) and three great granddaughters Audrianna, Gabriella, and Antonia Rueck. Preceded in death by his parents Walter and Josephine and sister Maryanne Smith, his surviving sister, Alice Sneddon, resides in Wichita TX.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be donated to The Salvation Army or a charity of your choice in honor of John W. Snodgrass.

Arrangements are with Renaissance Funeral Home, Raleigh. www.rfhr.com