Philip Powell Schneider

Philip Schneider was born on March 25, 1924 in Phoenix, Arizona. Following graduation from Tempe High School he went to work as an airplane mechanic at Williams Air Base. At 19 he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, became commissioned a 2nd Lt. and piloted B-17s. He and the crew he trained received their orders to ship overseas when WWII ended. Phil worked with his father from the time he was 12 years old. They closed the business to each serve their country. After the war, Phil and his father reopened Schneider¹s Garage and Union Oil station on Broadway and Central in Phoenix. It was quite a selling point to have his name in lights on Broadway! In 1956, Phil married Sandra Solms, his wife of 54 years. Together they opened one of the first automotive air-conditioning distributorships in Phoenix. Phil¹s knowledge, hard work ethic, and eagerness to teach others virtually changed the automotive industry and long distance car travel in the southwestern United States. Phil travelled three states selling auto air conditioners, held schools teaching the principles of air conditioning and installation, and managed Schneider¹s Garage and WARCO Distributors. After ³retirement², Phil and Sandie enjoyed traveling across country and Canada in their motor home. Eventually, they settled in Santa Maria, California where they built a home and enjoyed living in a cooler climate. During the past year, a dear and devoted friend, Claude Worsham, stayed by his side. Phil, always surrounded by women, is survived by his wife, Sandra; daughters, Heidi Schneider, Shelly O¹Dell and Dr. Holli Schneider-Stewart; sister, Dale Miller; four granddaughters: Kelcie and Tara O¹Dell, Sabrina Schneider, and Skyler Stewart; one grandson, Philip Stewart; and son-in-law, Kevin O¹Dell. Though he passed from this earth on February 18, 2011, his exemplary character, generous nature, and loyal devotion will remain with all those whose lives he touched. Phil always stood tall physically, ethically, and morally; and he was sincerely loved.

Visitation hours will be from 5:00 - 8:00 pm, Friday, February 25, 2011, Lakeshore Mortuary, 1815 S. Dobson Road, Mesa, Arizona 85202. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2011, at 10:00 am with a reception to follow until 1:00 pm at Lakeshore Mortuary. Graveside Services will be held also on Saturday the 26th of February at Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery, 2300 W. Van Buren, Phoenix, AZ 85009.

Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Alzheimers Association, Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011 or online at www.alz.org.