Sam Tinsley Snowdon Jr.

LAURINBURG — Sam Tinsley Snowdon, Jr., FAIA, died on July 12, 2015.

He is survived by his daughter Estelle Snowdon Brown (Sayle) of Cornelius, son Sam Tinsley Snowdon, III of Pinehurst, brother John W. Snowdon II (Fran) of Charlotte, brother-in-law Julian Butler, Jr (Clara) of Laurinburg and sister-in-law Virginia Snoddy of Davidson. He is preceded in death by his wife, Mildred Butler Snowdon and brother Marcus F. Snoddy.

He was born in Brandon, South Carolina on Nov. 19, 1926. After a nomadic childhood he graduated from high school in Ware Shoals, South Carolina in 1943. He attended Clemson University for a year before joining the U.S. Navy in 1944 near the end of World War II, stationed on Okinawa and discharged in 1946.

He returned and graduated from the Clemson University School of Architecture in 1950 and began his career with J.N. Pease and Associates in Charlotte. On Aug. 16, 1951 he married Mildred Moore Butler. While in Charlotte, they were members of the Myers Park Presbyterian Church andhe was Scoutmaster of Troop 50. In 1957 he and his wife moved to her hometown of Laurinburg where he became the first architect to join the engineering firm of W. E. Matthews Company. When Mr. Matthews retired he purchased the firm and retired from Snowdon & Associates in 1997. Since moving to Laurinburg, he has been a member of the Laurinburg Presbyterian Church where he was also Scoutmaster of Troop 420.

Sam T. Snowdon Jr is an American Institute of Architects Fellow; elected to Fellowship by a jury of his peers in 2002. Fellowship is one of the highest honors the AIA can bestow upon a member. Elevation to Fellowship not only recognizes the achievements of the architect as an individual but also elevates before the public and the profession those architects who have made significant contributions to architecture and to society. His elevation to Fellow was based on the many accomplishments by the N.C. Building Code Council while he was Chairman. Many of the statewide codes have been adopted nationwide. Other professional organizations he was involved with were American Arbitration Association National Panel serving as an arbiter in construction throughout the southeast and American Society of Military Engineers at Ft Bragg.

Outside of his profession he was on the board at Southern National Bank and Scotland Saving Bank in Laurinburg as well as serving on the All-American City Award, Mayor's Citizens Advisory Committee, Planning and Zoning Board and a member of the local Rotary and Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Snowdon served Scotland County as a County Commissioner, on the board of Scotland Memorial Hospital, Hospice, Bicentennial Committee, Scotia Village, Concerned Citizens for the Rehabilitation of the Homeless and the Historical Association.

Statewide he served on boards of Richmond Community College in Hamlet, the NC Council of Community Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities & Substance Abuse Programs and its affiliate in Lumberton, Barium Springs Home for Children in Troutman and Museum of the Cape Fear in Fayetteville.

For Sam's service he received numerous awards; the Dunbar - McCoy Quality of Life Community Service Award from the Chamber, the Paul Harris Fellow award from the Rotary, the Presidential Citation and William H. Deitrick Service Medal from AIANC, the Service with Distinction Award from North Carolina Home Builders Association, NC Governor's Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service, Honorary Membership to NC Building Inspectors Association, Honorary Life Membership from the NC Fire Marshals Association.

Mr. Snowdon's greatest award was working alongside those that enriched his life through their dedication, loyalty, willingness to serve and friendship. He was very humbled by his awards but always believed his recognition truly belonged to those who worked with him.

Condolences may be sent to the family at 20101 Chapel Point Lane, Cornelius, NC 28031-7055​.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

At a later date the family will honor Mr. Snowdon's final wishes by having a private ceremony to scatter his ashes with his wife's at his "favorite place on earth".

Cape Fear Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements.