W. D. Pat Snoddy

W. D. Pat Snoddy, age 88, of Gatesville passed away Thursday, July 4, 2013. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 8, 2013 at Scott’s Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Levi Price officiating. Burial will follow at Levita Cemetery. There is no set time for visitation. Pat was born to the late Buford A. and Sarah E. Snoddy of Levita, Texas on March 23, 1925. He attended schools in Levita and Ireland, Texas and earned his GED in 1957. He joined the United States Army in September, 1943, serving with the 1st Cavalry Division, in World War II. He was among some of the last Army recruits to train as horse mounted cavalry troopers at Fort Riley Kansas. For deployment to the South Pacific in early 1943, “1st Cav” converted from mounted to mechanized cavalry. As part of the contingent of infantry replacement troopers sent to New Guinea in May, 1944, Pat participated in the Philipine campaign, taking part in amphibious landings and combat on Leyte Bay, Samar, and Luzon Islands from October 1944 through June 1945. Part of the occupation forces in Japan, his unit was on board troop ships in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945, the day of Japan’s formal surrender ending World War II, and among the first to enter Tokyo. Pat was honorably discharged in October 1945. Pat married the late Sarah Nell Lee in 1943. They settled in Gatesville after the war and started a family which grew in time to include four sons: Wallace, Chris, David, and Michael. Pat was employed by Morton Scott & Son Furniture and Funeral Home in Gatesville for almost 43 years, retiring in 1988. He wore many ”hats” for Scott’s including: Delivery, Salesman, Collections, Television Technician, Merchandise Buyer, Store Manager, and part-time Ambulance Driver. Pat also served as Coryell County Constable in the late 1960's, was a member of the original Board of Directors for the Gatesville Municipal Airport, and was later voted a member of the Gatesville City Council. Pat married Eunice Smith in 1974. They lived in Gatesville where they raised their three school age sons: David, Michael, and Stacy. In those years, Pat and Eunice never missed a school event, music lesson, or other planned event for their sons. They are all member of the First Baptist Church of Gatesville and both Pat and Eunice were choir members for many years. Pat was a man of many interests and talents, but music was one thread that could be found throughout his life. As a young boy growing up in Levita, he played and sang gospel music with his parents and siblings at local church and civic events. As an adult, Pat played and sang with Mike Kuzenka and The Country Sounds for 24 years. He performed with The Country Sounds at numerous Senior Citizen events, local festivals and other local celebratory events throughout those years. As a result, he was elected to the Gatesville Country and Western Music Hall of Fame in 2008. Pat was a lifelong aviation enthusiast, earning and maintaining his private pilot's license for many years. He also owned, restored, and flew several general aviation aircraft for over 25 years. After retiring, Pat earned his Certified Airframe and Powerplant Certificate allowing him to continue to pursue his love of aviation. He was very handy with tools and could repair a car engine, rebuild a tractor, build a boat, or build a house. Pat was also a loyal fan of the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers and tried to never miss a game. Pat always strived for perfection in everything he did. Pat was preceded in death by his wife of 30 years, Sarah Snoddy; parents, Buford and Sarah Snoddy; siblings, Beau Snoddy, Darrell Snoddy, Dayne Snoddy, Myron Snoddy, and Sandra Snoddy. Pat is survived by his wife of 39 years, Eunice Snoddy; six children, Wallace Snoddy of Arlington, Patricia Smith of Austin, Chris Snoddy of Grandview, David Snoddy of Flower Mound, Michael Snoddy of Columbus, Georgia, and Stacy Smith of Austin; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Pat was well liked, respected and never met a stranger. And so on behalf of his family and friends, we bid him farewell and thank God for his life. He will be missed.