Thomas Snow

Thomas Michael Snow VIRGINIA BEACH - Thomas Michael Snow, 66, passed away peacefully Monday, Sept. 26, 2011 at The Memory Center in Virginia Beach. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Mary; two daughters, Caroline Snow and Southern Van Auken and husband James; granddaughter, Julianne; two sisters, Linda Taylor and Noel Thomas, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, John Wesley Snow Jr. and Dorothy Bladen Evans. Mike was a native of Virginia Beach and a graduate of Fork Union Military Academy and North Carolina State University where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He was a member of the Exchange Club of Virginia Beach, the Princess Anne Country Club, and a board member of the YMCA of Norfolk. Mike was president of Snow Jr. and King Inc., masonry contractors for 25 years. Under his leadership, Snow Jr. and King completed the masonry work for many landmark buildings in Virginia, including the College of William and Mary's Law School Building and the Math and General Science Building; the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum and Historical Hospital in Williamsburg; and the reconstruction of the Public Hospital in Colonial Williamsburg, originally built in 1773. His masonry work in Virginia Beach includes the Founders Inn Conference Center and Spa; Regent University's College of Communications and Arts, Student Center, and School of Law; and the 14-story expansion of the Westminster Canterbury retirement community. Snow Jr. and King also completed the brick work for Harbour Place Condominiums in Norfolk, Short Pump Center Mall in Richmond, and the Ted Constant Convocation Center at Old Dominion University. Mike was particularly proud of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. plant in Tobaccoville, N.C., which, at the time, was the largest concrete masonry project ever in the Southeastern United States. Mike was an avid outdoorsman and experienced sailor, competing in numerous sailboat races, including the Worrell 1,000 from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Virginia Beach and coming in first place in the 501 National Champions race. He introduced his daughters to hiking and camping on the Appalachian Trail and enjoyed running with his dog, Roxie, on the beach and in First Landing State Park. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. at Spring Branch Community Church on Thursday, Sept. 29. Following the service, a reception will be held at the Princess Anne Country Club. Arrangements are being handled by H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts. Laskin Road and online condolences may be made at hdoliver.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia.