Raymond Christopher Snoddy

Chris Snoddy passed away on January 20, 2023, from congestive heart failure caused by radiation treatments for Hodgkin's disease when he was a teenager. Chris was born on November 19, 1959, in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. He was the son of Raymond Thomas and Farris (Duke) Snoddy, both preceded him in death. He was a true servant leader in every aspect of his life. He was a lifelong Scouter, a highly accomplished athletic trainer, and a devout member of the Church of Christ.

Chris was a member of the Boy Scouts of America for nearly 55 years. As a youth he earned the rank of Eagle Scout and was awarded the Vigil Honor in the Order of the Arrow, Scouting's national honor society. The Middle Tennessee Council of the BSA recognized Chris with its highest award, the Silver Beaver, in 1995.

In the Wa-Hi-Nasa Lodge, Chris served as the 1976 Lodge Treasurer, the 1979 Flying Eagle Newsletter Editor and the 1980 Publications Chairman when he created the Council's first Where To Go Scouting Guide for all troops in Middle Tennessee. He went on to serve as the Lodge's Secretary Adviser in 1983, Associate Lodge Adviser from 1992-1994 and the Wa-Hi-Nasa Lodge Adviser in 1995. Chris has served as Associate Lodge Adviser since 1996 where he has most recently led the charge for major upgrades the Order of the Arrow Lodge building at Boxwell Scout Reservation in Gallatin, Tennessee. He served in too many youth and adult positions to enumerate. Chris was a recipient of the Allogagan Award and the Josh Sain Memorial Award for outstanding service. He was the first recipient of the National Founder's Award in the Wa-Hi-Nasa Lodge, was recognized in 2007 with Howard B. Olson Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2012 with the Section Service Award.

Chris’ national service to the Order of the Arrow goes back to the 1979 National Order of the Arrow Conference where he served on the youth Conference Committee. And interestingly at the 1981 NOAC, he was the escort for Louise Goodman Auler the wife of the then recently deceased founder of the Order of Arrow where he coordinated her appearances, and local travel including nightly ice cream parlor trips. For many years he was a youth member of the Region OA Committee. In more recent years, Chris has served as the Southern Region Quartermaster responsible for the logistics of shipping region-owned equipment to region events throughout the year. When near his home, Chris has served as the Cracker Barrel Lead (a large fellowship gathering) for many National Leadership Seminars (NLS) and Developing Youth Leader Conferences (DYLC) to provide everything from wings, banana splits, and baked potato bars. In all, Chris staffed more than 9 National Order of the Arrow Conferences, countless NLS trainings, and held numerous section leadership positions as both a youth and adult. Chris always delivered more than was expected for every job he accepted. In 2015, he was recognized with the national Centurion Award for his 35 years of service in the Order of the Arrow.

Chris received the National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award in 2013 and has chaired the Middle Tennessee Council's Selection Committee for the award since 2019. Chris received his 50-year Pin for service to Scouting in 2018.

Despite his many recognitions, it is important to note that much of the time Chris served in the background to make others successful. Nicknamed the “Lodge Defender” in Wa-Hi-Nasa, Chris was deeply engaged on the lodge level and took very seriously the responsibility of looking after the legacy and ensuring the success of the youth he advised. Chris was a close mentor to countless lodge and section officers, at least 3 region and national vice chiefs, and 3 national chiefs. He was a steady guiding

hand, that listened to the youth, gave great advice, and was always willing to do whatever was necessary to support the youth of the Order in their undertakings.

Chris was a also a leader and mentor in his professional life as an athletic trainer. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Lipscomb University in 1981 and a Master of Arts from Appalachian State University in 1987. Chris served as the Head Athletic Trainer for Lipscomb University from 1981-1991 and a sports medicine consultant to David Lipscomb High School from 1982-1991. After a brief stint as the Director of Sports Medicine for Pinnacle Rehabilitation in Nashville in 1991-92, he joined Baptist Hospital's Center for Sports Medicine as a Senior Athletic Trainer. With Baptist he directed outreach programs and developed relationships with the Nashville Predators and Tennessee Titans. Chris joined Star Physical Therapy where he managed sports medicine services for 15 schools and directly supported Goodpasture Christian School athletics for more than 20 years.

His relationship with Goodpasture Christian School was exceptionally important to him. Chris developed Emergency Action Plans for the school and championed the acquisition of AEDs for all buildings on campus. Goodpasture was the first high school in Tennessee to implement neurocognitive concussion testing. He led the concussion management team and managed athletes’ return to play post-concussion. “Snoddy”, as he was most affectionately called, provided everything from band-aids to saving three lives during his tenure.

Chris is a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association and the Tennessee Athletic Trainers Society where he served as President from 2010-2014. He has been recognized with the Mayor's Medallion for the City of Nashville (1986), the Clinical Athletic Trainer of the Year twice (1992 & 2003), the Athletic Trainer of the Year by the Southeastern Athletic Trainers Association (2005), was inducted in the Lipcomb University Hall of Fame (2004), the Tennessee Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame (2005), National Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award (2012), and National Secondary School Athletic Trainer of the Year (2019). During Chris' tenure, Chris was the Primary Athletic Trainer for 11 TSSAA State Championship Teams and 2 NAIA National Championship Teams.

In the community, Chris was a member of the South Nashville Civitan Club where he served on the board of directors in 1986 and as president in 1990. He is a member of Wingate Church of Christ. He was awarded the Wingate Church of Christ Faithful Service Award in 2017.

Chris will be deeply missed by all who loved and knew him. A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, January 29th at Goodpasture Christian School with a Gathering of Friends at 2:00 p.m. followed by the Celebration of Life service at 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Middle Tennessee Council, BSA, Goodpasture Christian School or Lipscomb University.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Woodlawn-Roesch-PattonFH.com for the Snoddy family.