Emery Snow

Emery V. Snow, our father, grandfather and uncle was born in Monticello, Utah on November 12, 1925 to Charles Snow Jr. and Ada Delilah King. He was one of nine children born to his parents and the final one to return to his Heavenly Father. He was preceded in death by his following siblings, Clyde, Alice, Fern, Ila, Elma, Byron, Merrill, and Vera.
His life began in San Juan County, but eventually he moved with his family to Wayne County, Utah where he worked hard on his family’s farm and enjoyed a life of fun with family and friends. He graduated from Wayne High School and after this enlisted in the US Navy where he travelled in the Pacific area on the USS Ascella supporting the World War II effort. He was discharged after the war and put on reserve duty status and came home for a brief stint before being called up on active duty detail for the Korean War where he served in California.
After being discharged totally from the military, he came home to Utah and enrolled at the University of Utah with the intent on getting a law degree, but found a job instead working for American Oil and never looked back from it. He loved to be practical and earned the nickname “the Judge” for his ability to understand law without a law degree. His work included many duties, but some of the greatest satisfaction he received was his work with the Local 2-286 OCAW union serving as the secretary for over 20 years. He worked at his job for 37 years and the only job he ever worked his adult life.
Dad was intent on finding love and companionship and after some years and on a blind date dare, he finally found our mother Donna May Manning. They married on November 3, 1956 in Elko, Nevada and their marriage was solemnized later in the Salt Lake Temple on August 27, 1975. Mother had a daughter from her previous marriage, Suzie, and Dad accepted her as his own. After a time, they added to the family with their three remaining children of Charles, Kenton, and Mary. He also raised his granddaughters Katherine and Rebecca with his wife and loved them as if they were his own children.
Family was very important to Dad and besides the love he had for his children and his wife, he loved to serve others. He spent many years serving as a Ward clerk for numerous bishops, and had other callings in the LDS Church. If there was a detailed task to be worked on, he was called to do it and would work at it until it was completed. He also was called to work in the Salt Lake Temple and worked there for 12 years at the recommend desk and enjoyed the association he had with the patrons and his fellow workers.
As his health declined, he had to leave his volunteer service at the temple and spent his final years at home where he was cared for by his daughter Mary. She was assisted by family members to keep him comfortable and safe. He had a special love for his children and grandchildren, but one of his greatest companions in his later years was his little dog Bella who was always there for him and on his final day on this earth was with him when he passed.
The family wants to thank his many doctors and care workers, but especially Dr. Hecht, Rocky Mountain Hospice and their staff and their affiliated care centers. We want to give a special thanks to his hospice nurse, Kathy, and to Bonnie and Jodie at Rocky Mountain Hunter Hollow who helped him get back to home to have his final days before going on hospice. We know Dad is free from his pain and is enjoying a reunion with his parents, siblings, and extended relatives. He is also enjoying his reunion with his wife, parents, siblings, extended family members and grandson Mark David McIlrath who preceded him in death while just an infant.
Thank you Dad for the love you gave us, the values you taught us, and your unconditional love to everyone you met. We will miss you, but we are greater because of you.
This passage of scripture sums up you dear Dad in 2 Timothy 4:7. “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”
Funeral Services will be held Friday, April 24, 2015 at 12:00 Noon at the Rose Park 6th Ward LDS Chapel, 1155 North Boy Scout Drive (1200 W). A viewing will be held Thursday, April 23, 2015 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Holladay-Cottonwood Memorial Mortuary, 4670 S Highland Drive and one hour prior to services at the church. An extended obituary can be found at holladaycottonwoodmortuary.com Interment Larkin Sunset Gardens.