John W. Snow, M.D.

Dr. Snow was a gifted surgeon, technically adept, artistically creative and uniquely innovative. Dr. Snow started his hand and reconstructive plastic surgery practice in 1964. He was the first hand surgeon in Jacksonville, then a new surgical specialty. During his 30-year practice, his innovative surgical procedures improved the lives of thousands of people who had been severely injured. He also trained many other doctors. During his medical career he published 47 articles in peer-reviewed medical journals, and created a number of innovative medical procedures which still bear his name.

The son of Dr. Thomas Austin Snow and Maribel Haynie Snow, and the brother of Jane Snow Letchworth, Dr. Snow grew up in Gainesville, Florida., and attended Baylor Military Academy in Chattanooga, Tennessee. While in high school, he won a Golden Gloves boxing championship. He graduated from Duke University in 1951. While at Duke he excelled in scholastics; he was a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity; and he was a Duke Blue Devil cheerleader.

Dr. Snow continued his education at Duke Medical School, graduating in 1955. He met his wife Patricia at Duke and married her in 1953. After completing medical school, he served in the U.S. Air Force, achieving the rank of captain. He then completed his medical residencies in Gainesville, Salt Lake City, and New York City.

Dr. Snow was also an accomplished artist. His sketches, drawings, and paintings were everywhere- in his scientific articles, in his patient's files, and on the walls of his office. He also won awards for his beautiful bronze sculptures.

Dr. Snow was an avid outdoorsman, and a long-time member of the International Safari Club.

He is survived by his wife Patricia Dobson Snow, his five children: Thomas Snow, John Snow, Jr., and Heather Snow Foster, of Jacksonville; Leslie Snow, of Peachland, NC; Stefanie Snow, of Bellevue, WA; five grandchildren; and his sister, Jane Snow Letchworth, of Sarasota, Fla. He will be missed.

A Memorial Service will be held January 14, 2012 at 1:00 PM at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 4115 Hendricks Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32207.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hardage-giddenshendricksave.com.