WESTERVILLE: Charles H. Snow, III passed away at his home in Westerville on Saturday April 20, 2013 surrounded by family and friends. He was born to the late Charles H. Snow, Jr. and Patricia Riddick Snow on March 18, 1950 in Murray, Ky.
Charlie was a 1968 graduate of Newark High School where he was an All-State basketball player. He was inducted into the Newark High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999, and was a 1972 graduate of the University of Cincinnati, where he played varsity basketball, participating in the 1970 NIT at Madison Square Garden. He had a successful business career which was cut short in 1979 by an automobile accident which left him a quadriplegic. After his accident he was active in Christian prison ministries, evangelization, and support for his fellow handicapped, serving as a past member and President of the Board of Creative Living, a nonprofit organization encouraging independent living for adults with severe physical disabilities located adjacent to The Ohio State University.
Charlie was a special person, whose courage and faith served as an example for so many. He was well known for his great sense of humor, and had a tremendous love of family, attending many sporting and other school events participated in by his many nieces and nephews. He was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, a proud owner of one of the bricks honoring Stan Musial at Busch Stadium.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by three brothers: John (Terry) Snow of Granville; Prentice (Jane) Snow of Newark; Scott (Susie) Snow of Delaware; two nephews, Andrew and Charles H. IV; eight nieces, Elizabeth, Emily, Meghan, Sarah, Heather, Patricia, Caroline, and Victoria; three great-nephews, Jackson, Griffin, and Drake, and two great nieces, Natalia and Vera.
A memorial service will be held at Heritage Christian Church 7413 Maxtown Rd. Westerville on Saturday April 27 at 12:30 PM. There are no calling hours, but the family will greet attendees beginning at 11:30 at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Creative Living, 150 W. 10th Ave., Columbus, OH. 43201.
After graduation, I ran into Charlie perhaps a couple of times before his accident and then met him perhaps a couple of times after it. Frankly, I did not much care for the Charlie I saw prior to his tragedy. Charlie Snow's world then seemed to consist of Charlie Snow. His confidence had morphed into arrogance; his many charms into an ill-concealed contempt for those less blessed with intelligence, looks, and talent than he.
But what I saw and learned from you and others about the post-accident Charlie Snow speaks volumes. Charlie could have become an embittered, angry man. Rather, he became someone who turned his native confidence into commitment, his talents into thoughtfulness, and his self-absorption into a drive to improve the world he lived in. That latter Charlie was a true child of the '60s: "The love you take is equal to the love you make." If anything can make me forget watching his intensity and talent with a basketball, it's the image of a guy in a wheelchair doing all that he can for his fellows.
Charlie and Chris Lytle helped Gina Steinbower and me get thru our Chem -Study lab. I know he seemed rather
arogant but he didn't try to make us feel stupid and was willing to help. I spoke with him at our 30 year class reunion and he told me then that he liked who he was then better than who he was before the accident. He had become a believer in Christ. Sometimes people have to suffer tragedy before coming to Christ,but we each have to die to ourselves before receiving him. I know he had an impact on his family due to his faith. I know we usually say rest in peace, but I think Charlie is rejoicing with the angels and maybe even playing basketball with Jesus. I know he is at peace. Jan Burch Campbell
There is no doubt that he was a much better person after the accident. Still this is one story before that. Charlie, Larry Claggett, Steve Lawrence and I drove to the Newark Zanesville Football game in Zanesville. We not only got pounded on the field, but as we left we got jumped and they tried to pound us off the field. Fights kind of broke out all over the parking lot and we were just trying to get back to the car. We got seperated making our way back. But I did see Charlie as we approached the car. He had taken his Wildcat Jacket and turned it inside out so no one would know where he was from. That boy could think on his feet. He never saw me and I never talked to him about then or later.
Charlie was a good friend, and as Roger points out, he could take up all the oxygen in a room with his over-the-top charisma somtimes. The accident certainly did transform him as it probably would most of us in our own way. Charlie made the best of it.
We had some very good times, drifted away on our own life journeys, but managed to stay in touch from time to time. He lived in California briefly before the accident and we got together again, with Dave Richards, too. His wife wanted to return to Ohio, and the rest is history.
Spencer, I drove Charlie to the game in Zanesville and saw it all, too, and do remember when we realized that NHS guys were getting jumped in the parking lot, he immediatley turned his WIldcat jacket inside out and we made it to the car safely. Amazingly acute reaction time!!! Fortunately, my parents had great widsom that I didn't at 17. The only way they would let me take the car was if I did not wear my Wildcat jacket. They knew the history there. I remember being called into the office at NHS the next Monday and "testifying" to school officials about the incident.
I enjoyed all the remembrances here. Thanks you guys (and that includes the women), you're the best.
I recently joined this site. I was looking at the In Memory section and I was deeply saddened
when I read some of the posts made about my dear friend Charles. You see since that first day
in 2nd grade when I rushed home to tell my parents about a new boy in our class from Kentucky
who didn't wear shoes ( well at least I thought people from Kentucky didn't wear shoes) a long
friendship began. Our families became best friends. Swimming at State Farm Park in Bloomington,
Illinois, to spending Memorial Days together enjoying Mrs. Snow's homemade sweet rolls.
Eventually both of our families relocated to Newark, Ohio.
My 10th birthday was spent in Cincinnati with my Father, Mr. Snow, Charles and John watching the St Louis Cardinal game. I too made them my favorite team. Charles and I attended different elementary and junior high schools in Newark. But when we had a chance to catch up, he was always the same Charles. When I went to Margaret Hall in Kentucky, he came to one of our dances. He was a hit!
College, career, marriage and then the accident. I was in the hospital room with him at Ohio State not long
after the accident. There was no self pity, he was still Charles. Funny, brilliant, insightful and genuine. When I visited his home in Westerville one day he shared with me his greatest fear. It was choking to death. He explained that there was little he would be able to do if he was choking and alone. Fortunately he had a live in helper.
Yes, physically Charles had changed and yes, his energy was redirected. But his love of life, family, friends and genuinely caring for others never changed. He was wise beyond his years, he did not judge others and was a loyal friend. I regret not having had more time to enjoy his intellect, humor and grace.
The only arrogance I ever witnessed came from those who sometimes surrounded him. Perhaps one assumes that of those who have been given so much. But not Charles. Remember, he was from Kentucky where according to a 2nd grader in 1957 they don't where shoes!
Roger McDonald
After graduation, I ran into Charlie perhaps a couple of times before his accident and then met him perhaps a couple of times after it. Frankly, I did not much care for the Charlie I saw prior to his tragedy. Charlie Snow's world then seemed to consist of Charlie Snow. His confidence had morphed into arrogance; his many charms into an ill-concealed contempt for those less blessed with intelligence, looks, and talent than he.
But what I saw and learned from you and others about the post-accident Charlie Snow speaks volumes. Charlie could have become an embittered, angry man. Rather, he became someone who turned his native confidence into commitment, his talents into thoughtfulness, and his self-absorption into a drive to improve the world he lived in. That latter Charlie was a true child of the '60s: "The love you take is equal to the love you make." If anything can make me forget watching his intensity and talent with a basketball, it's the image of a guy in a wheelchair doing all that he can for his fellows.
Jan Carol Burch (Campbell)
Charlie and Chris Lytle helped Gina Steinbower and me get thru our Chem -Study lab. I know he seemed rather
arogant but he didn't try to make us feel stupid and was willing to help. I spoke with him at our 30 year class reunion and he told me then that he liked who he was then better than who he was before the accident. He had become a believer in Christ. Sometimes people have to suffer tragedy before coming to Christ,but we each have to die to ourselves before receiving him. I know he had an impact on his family due to his faith. I know we usually say rest in peace, but I think Charlie is rejoicing with the angels and maybe even playing basketball with Jesus. I know he is at peace. Jan Burch Campbell
Mike Kelley
All I can say is what a guy, he will be truely missed by the class of 1968. RIP CHARLIE
Spencer Null
There is no doubt that he was a much better person after the accident. Still this is one story before that. Charlie, Larry Claggett, Steve Lawrence and I drove to the Newark Zanesville Football game in Zanesville. We not only got pounded on the field, but as we left we got jumped and they tried to pound us off the field. Fights kind of broke out all over the parking lot and we were just trying to get back to the car. We got seperated making our way back. But I did see Charlie as we approached the car. He had taken his Wildcat Jacket and turned it inside out so no one would know where he was from. That boy could think on his feet. He never saw me and I never talked to him about then or later.
Ronald Larason
Charlie was a good friend, and as Roger points out, he could take up all the oxygen in a room with his over-the-top charisma somtimes. The accident certainly did transform him as it probably would most of us in our own way. Charlie made the best of it.
We had some very good times, drifted away on our own life journeys, but managed to stay in touch from time to time. He lived in California briefly before the accident and we got together again, with Dave Richards, too. His wife wanted to return to Ohio, and the rest is history.
Spencer, I drove Charlie to the game in Zanesville and saw it all, too, and do remember when we realized that NHS guys were getting jumped in the parking lot, he immediatley turned his WIldcat jacket inside out and we made it to the car safely. Amazingly acute reaction time!!! Fortunately, my parents had great widsom that I didn't at 17. The only way they would let me take the car was if I did not wear my Wildcat jacket. They knew the history there. I remember being called into the office at NHS the next Monday and "testifying" to school officials about the incident.
I enjoyed all the remembrances here. Thanks you guys (and that includes the women), you're the best.
Julie Dillon
I recently joined this site. I was looking at the In Memory section and I was deeply saddened
when I read some of the posts made about my dear friend Charles. You see since that first day
in 2nd grade when I rushed home to tell my parents about a new boy in our class from Kentucky
who didn't wear shoes ( well at least I thought people from Kentucky didn't wear shoes) a long
friendship began. Our families became best friends. Swimming at State Farm Park in Bloomington,
Illinois, to spending Memorial Days together enjoying Mrs. Snow's homemade sweet rolls.
Eventually both of our families relocated to Newark, Ohio.
My 10th birthday was spent in Cincinnati with my Father, Mr. Snow, Charles and John watching the St Louis Cardinal game. I too made them my favorite team. Charles and I attended different elementary and junior high schools in Newark. But when we had a chance to catch up, he was always the same Charles. When I went to Margaret Hall in Kentucky, he came to one of our dances. He was a hit!
College, career, marriage and then the accident. I was in the hospital room with him at Ohio State not long
after the accident. There was no self pity, he was still Charles. Funny, brilliant, insightful and genuine. When I visited his home in Westerville one day he shared with me his greatest fear. It was choking to death. He explained that there was little he would be able to do if he was choking and alone. Fortunately he had a live in helper.
Yes, physically Charles had changed and yes, his energy was redirected. But his love of life, family, friends and genuinely caring for others never changed. He was wise beyond his years, he did not judge others and was a loyal friend. I regret not having had more time to enjoy his intellect, humor and grace.
The only arrogance I ever witnessed came from those who sometimes surrounded him. Perhaps one assumes that of those who have been given so much. But not Charles. Remember, he was from Kentucky where according to a 2nd grader in 1957 they don't where shoes!