Thomas Wood Snodgrass

Thomas Wood Snodgrass, 89, of Jefferson City Missouri, died Wednesday May 15, 2013. Mr. Snodgrass was born April 21, 1924, in Little Rock, Arkansas, son of William Rea Snodgrass and Sarah Wood Snodgrass. He earned bachelor and master degrees from George Peabody College in Nashville, Tennessee, now part of Vanderbilt University. He also attended New Mexico Military Institute, University of Arkansas, University of Miami and Mexico City College. Mr. Snodgrass served in the 91st Infantry Division, U.S. Army, during World War II. He participated in several actions in Italy including capture of Florence and the battle to break through the Gustav and Gothic Lines. He was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, Presidential Unit Citation and Bronze Star for heroic service. His early professional life focused on the health and wellness of fellow citizens. He held leadership positions in several non-profit organizations including march of Dimes and American Cancer Society. He was instrumental in the raising community awareness for social welfare such as hunger, HIV/AIDS, and aging. His advocacy for the elderly grew from his tenure as Executive Director, MO Health Care Association. In later years, he was a prominent consultant for long-term care issues and served on several gubernatorial advisory committees. He was a licensed Nursing Home Administrator. Mr. Snodgrass was a member of MO Association for Social Welfare, Public Relations Society of America, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sons of American Revolution, and Sons of Confederate Veterans. He is survived by his wife, Betty (nee Burgi), whom he married on November 26, 1953. He is also survived by his sons, Thomas O. Snodgrass (Kim) of Holts Summit, Missouri and Patrick Snodgrass of Santa Cruz, California; grandson, Scott Snodgrass (Georgia), two great-grandchildren and two step-grandchildren. There was a private burial of ashes at the Resurrection Cemetery, in Jefferson City, Missouri under the direction of Heartland Crematory, Columbia, Missouri.