Larry Gene Sneath

1947 - 2024

Larry Gene Sneath

April 23, 1947 - October 10, 2024

It is with profound sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Larry Gene Sneath.

Larry was the second of four children born to Paul C. Sneath and Betty L. Kane Hunsucker. He grew up in the West End of Rock Island where he had many childhood friends from the Arsenal Courts. There he was dubbed "String" because he was a skinny little kid.

His life's journey held challenges. Earlier years were marked by a speech impediment which he overcame after receiving speech therapy provided by the Rock Island School System. This was truly transformative for him and opened many social opportunities. He attended Grant Elementary, Franklin, and Central Junior Highs, and graduated from Rock Island Senior High School with the Class of 1965. His father, a Golden Glove Boxer, taught Larry the sweet science of boxing. However, Larry discovered his talent lay with wrestling. There he excelled, gained discipline and confidence and became a Letterman in that sport

Immediately upon graduation he began working at Farmall. However, in 1966 he felt the draft of the U.S. Army. So, at age 18 he was trained as a combat soldier, left Rock Island, and went off to war. He was assigned duty for one year on Pr'Line Mountain in Vietnam. As an infantryman he was part of the security patrol designed to protect the large communications system established. He was also a Back-Pack Sprayer which exposed him to Agent Orange. This resulted in him coping with life-long health complications. Upon leaving Vietnam and returning to the U.S. he was assigned as military crowd control in Chicago after the Martin Luther King, Jr. assassination. While Larry left Vietnam, those who knew him well knew Vietnam never left him.

Upon returning to civilian life, he attended Black Hawk College and Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill. Later he was re-employed by Farmall and worked there an additional 20 years. During that time he was elected Vice President of Local 1309 United Automobile Workers in Rock Island and served during the difficult time of Farmall's closing. He was affectionately known as "Sam" because his last name was similar to the professional golfer, Sam Snead. It suited him because Larry loved to compete in golf.

Those who knew Larry knew he had the gift of gab. His sparkling personality and genuine honesty went a long way as he embarked on his selling career. As a child he began small by selling newspapers and collecting items to sell to junk yards as well as collecting pop bottles to get return deposits. When Farmall closed he sought employment in Chicago selling cars. He missed his family and loved living in the Quad Cities and returned home as soon as possible. Back in the Quad Cities he became Regional Sales Manager at Quality Trailer Sales, Inc. in Milan. He also became a Branch Manager at Transport International Pool (TIP) where he managed a 700 rental trailer fleet.

His experience in Vietnam led him to study Tae Kwon Do with Grand Master Chung Eun Kim. His dedication to martial arts led him to open his own Tae Kwon Do School in Geneseo. He taught Tae Kwon Do classes at the Moline YMCA for 25 years as well as classes at Augustana College and The University of Iowa. It is absolutely not possible to travel anywhere without someone recognizing him and talking to him.

His competitive spirit led him to participate in golf tournaments and competitive billiards. He was very active in multiple local pool leagues and traveled to tournaments in the Midwest as well as national tournaments in Las Vegas. He loved the game and always tried to include anyone he could. He was awarded multiple Illinois and Iowa State Billiard Awards.

Sandwiched between all these activities he pursued travel. He loved meeting new people and enjoying new cultures. By his count he had visited more than 50 different countries. An example of his sincere zest for travel is explained on one of his trips to Asia. He persuaded the Rickshaw Driver to let him pull the Rickshaw.

Matrimony came late for Larry. At the age of 73 he married Elaine Shepherd Rexdale. They'd first met in fourth grade. Even though they attended the same schools and grew up only blocks away from each other, their lives went in different directions. They caught up with each other at a class reunion. True to his character, Larry generally had no problem saying what was on his mind. So, on the day to be married, his very first words to the Judge were, "I'm scared. I've never been married before!" quickly followed by a nervous chuckle. Nevertheless, he took well to married life and companionship. One day while reflecting on his life-changing decision to marry, he said to his wife, "I was grateful the day you said I do." And there you have his romantic side.

Larry was predeceased by his parents, brothers Clifford A. Sneath, Sr. and Ronald Lee Sneath. In addition to several cousins, his memory is held by his wife, Elaine; sister, Virginia (Doc) Becker; niece, Chris (Jim) Pace; and nephews, Clifford A. Sneath, Jr; Oliver Becker, Jr., Brian (Rebecca) Becker, great-nephew Nate (Gabby) Becker and sisters-in-law, Shirley Howe and Lorna Sneath.

Larry was an honorable, hardworking and kind man. He truly had a life well-lived.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, October 14, 2024, at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 201 E. 4th Avenue, Milan. A graveside service with military honors will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at the Rock Island National Cemetery, Arsenal Island. Those who would like to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at the Milan funeral home by 10:15 a.m. Tuesday.

Online condolences and memories may be shared with Larry's family on his tribute wall at www.wheelanpressly.com.