Obituary

LARRY LEE SNOOK

JULY 19, 1936-JULY 15, 2009

SMITHSBURG - Larry Lee Snook, 72, of Leathers Road in Smithsburg, Md., sailed away to his Lord and Savior on Wednesday July 15, 2009. He had been in failing health for the past several years and passed peacefully at Washington County Hospital.

Born July 19, 1936, in Rolfe, Iowa, he was the son of the late Paul and Clinnie (Severns) Snook.

Larry graduated from Rolfe High School in 1955 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy at Fort Dodge, Iowa, serving his country for 20 years. He received his basic training at San Diego (Calif.) Naval Base, with his first tour of duty on the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown II. Larry's next tour was in Crowe's Landing, Calif., where he was part of the ground crew for the Blue Angels, doing touch-and-go landings. He joined the Naval Security group and served at the Pentagon, followed by tours in Bremerhaven, Germany, U.S. Naval Security Station, Washington, D.C., Nicosia, Cyprus and the USS Valdez off the coast of Africa. Larry's next shore tour was the Naval Security Station in Wahiawa, Hawaii, in September 1968. He completed his service on the USS Knox in Pearl Harbor. Larry was commended by Adm. John McCain for his service aboard the USS Knox updating the crews' personnel records, giving the ship a No. 1 ranking in McCain's fleet. Larry retired in May 1975 in Pearl Harbor.

After his Naval career, Larry and his family settled in Smithsburg in September 1975. He worked for two years for the government CETA program in Hagerstown, and managed the Pepsi-Cola warehouse in Williamsport. Larry worked for Edgemont Orchards for more than 10 years, retiring in May 1998 due to his health.

Larry was a member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Greensburg, Md., and belonged to the National American Legion.

He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Betty J. Snook, whom he married Sept. 29, 1962, in Frederick, Md.; four children, Teresa M. Deckert and husband, Jonathan, of Smithsburg, Timothy L. Snook and wife, Susan, of Springfield, N.J., Tracey L. Heier and husband, Garry, of Smithsburg, and Todd C. Snook and wife, Jennifer, of Williamsport; five grandchildren, Alex Ringquist of Smithsburg, Kye Fallone Snook of Springfield, Ella Snook, and twins Leah and Andrew Snook of Williamsport; three brothers, Don Snook and wife, Shirley, of Alabama, Delmer Snook of Mississippi, and Paul Snook of Texas; two sisters, Jackie Widstrup of Alabama, and Ethel Costa and husband, Robert, of Massachusetts; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, William Snook, Wayne Snook and Glenn Snook, and four sisters, infant Wanda Snook, Virginia Marine, Lavon Metz and Beverly Williams.

Besides his family and friends, Larry had a deep love of animals and nature. He leaves behind his faithful companion, Shiloh, adopted two years ago from the Humane Society of Washington County, also his cat, Raven. Larry faithfully fed the birds and squirrels, and anxiously awaited each spring for the first hummingbirds. He had a fondness for owls, earning him the nickname "Hoot" as a child. Larry enjoyed caring for the horses, and especially Eeyore, the miniature donkey at Edgemont Orchards. He loved taking his grandson, Alex, to see Eeyore and giving him apples.

Services will be Monday, July 20, 2009 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Greensburg, with Pastor Julie Brigham officiating. Burial will be in Smithsburg Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at J.L. Davis Funeral Home, Smithsburg.

To honor Larry's love of animals, the family requests memorial donations be made to Humane Society of Washington County,13011 Maugansville Road, Hagerstown MD 21740.