In Memory

Danny Snowden

Danny Snowden

The following email was sent by Dan's daughter, Tammy.

 

Hello Friends and Family,

This is Danny's daughter Tammy. It is with great pain and sorrow that I am emailing each and every one of you today. My dad passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday morning [January 25, 2013]. There was no struggle, pain or suffering.

He was a wonderful Husband, Father, Grandfather and friend. He has touched each and every one of us in a loving and caring way that cannot be described. I have had a wonderful 40 years with the man I am proud to call my dad and best friend.

He is now in Heaven with our loving Heavenly Father, there is no pain, suffering or sorrow. Happy New Birthday Dad.

He will be truly missed and will hold a special place in each of our hearts.

Please forgive me that this was done via email, as we did not know how to contact you in an other fashion.

May you all be blessed in this day of sorrow.

All of our love,

The Snowden Family

 

Allen Johnson spoke with Dan's widow and describes that conversation below:

I spoke with Dan’s widow, Francis, shortly after husband’s death.  It was clear that although she was shaken by Dan's unexpected death, she wanted to talk about him and, of course, I was eager to hear her remembrances.

"I feel cheated," she began.  "There was more to be lived, more to be experienced together.  Do you understand?"

I told her, truthfully, that I did.

Francis did not have to be prompted to continue.  Without hesitation, she described Dan as “a gentle man with a big heart.”  She went on to say, “I knew he loved me with everything in him; he didn’t have to tell me.  We were so close we could answer each other’s questions.  Sure, there were some tough times though the years--we're raising two great grandsons, you know--but those tough times made our love stronger.”

I asked how they had met.

"We met in the Air Force," Francis said.  "I was in security, and Danny was a desk sergeant.   One night after my shift, Danny gave me a ride home.”  Francis laughed.  “I took his last cigarette.  When I got out of the Jeep, he told me he wanted to come back after his shift and bum a cigarette off of me.”

“Did he come back?” I asked.

“I wasn’t sure he would, but he did,” she said.  “We walked behind the firing range—where we should not have been—and talked for hours.”

Then Francis told me that Danny was assigned to the Philippines.  While there he had a motorcycle accident and was shipped back home.  In fact, it was while recuperating in the hospital that--“flat on his back”--Dan proposed to Francis.

Dan was in the Air Force for just under 26 years.  During that time he had tours, not only in the Philippines, but also in Vietnam, Panama, and Germany.  For Francis, Germany was the best of all.  “If we could have, we would have stayed longer,” she said.

Francis and Dan had three daughters:  Laurie, Tammy, and the youngest, Candice, who was born in Panama.

Toward the end of our conversation, I mentioned to Francis that I remembered Dan as a fantastic tenor.  "Oh, yes," she said.  "Danny always loved to sing--right to the end."  Then, after a pause, "And he was a great whistler.  Did you know that?  He was always whistling."

The last story Francis told me captured Dan’s tenderness.  She explained that when Dan was in Vietnam, he purchased a beauty ruby necklace for her.  That necklace was either lost or stolen—they were never quite sure.  For decades Dan searched for another ruby necklace that resembled the original.  Then three years before his death, he found just the right one and, on their anniversay, latched the beautiful necklack around her neck.  “I never take it off,” Francis said softly.

The following is Dan's obituary

S. MSgt. Danny W. Snowden, U.S.A.F. Ret'd

Wednesday, September 18, 1946 - Friday, January 25, 2013
 

Age 66, a resident of Albuquerque, passed away peacefully Friday, January 25, 2013. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Frances E. Snowden; daughters, Laurie A. Stull of Belen, NM, Tammy L. Snowden-Morris and husband Matt, Candice N. Bethoney and husband Anthony; 7 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, and many other family and friends. Mr. Snowden was preceded in death by his parents, Burl and Mary Bess Snowden. He served our country in the United States Air Force for 26 years before retiring. Danny was a member of Mountainside Church of Christ. Services will be held at Mountainside Church of Christ, please call the family for more information. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ballut Abyad Shrine Childrens Hospital Fund, 2900 Rocky Point Dr, Tampa, FL, 33607, 1-800-241-GIFT.

 



 
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01/26/13 03:11 PM #1    

Loretta Walch (Powell)

Thank you Allen, for sharing a beautiful and heart-felt tribute to Dan and his family.  I remember him from high school choir,  Loretta Walch Powell


01/26/13 05:32 PM #2    

James McMurdo

I am sorry to hear of Dan's passing. Dan and I sang together in Modern Choir. He was a very good tenor. He will be missed.  


01/28/13 10:30 PM #3    

Ginger Mitchell (Wedin)

Thank you all for sharing.  Danny sounded like a wonderful man; I never had contact with him after high school; but fond memories of him from that time  -- never anything negative, always positive.  I look forward to meeting him again in heaven.

ginger


02/11/14 08:17 PM #4    

Linda Wellman (Mathisen)

Being a part of Modern Choir was one of the best memories I have of High School, and Dan certainly contributed to those fond memories.  I remember his smile and sense of humor, and his "can do" attitude.  In my mind, I viewed him as a gentle giant, unassuming, humble, strong - from the inside out.  Sounds like he made a big difference to many during his lifetime, an achievement to emulate.  Another reminder that life is short, and none of us know when we'll be called to give up our life here on earth.  I look forward to seeing Dan again in heaven - Praise the Lord!


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