George Edward Sneed

George E. Sneed was born on Nov. 28, 1941, to Walter W. and Anna Lee (Mooney) Sneed in Los Angeles, CA and died on Jan. 5, 2015 in Austin, TX. George spent many happy summers with his grandparents in the San Joaquin Valley. The family then moved to Dallas, TX in 1951. George joined the U.S. Marine Corps at age 17. After attending Marine Boot Camp in San Diego, CA and infantry training at Camp Pendleton, George spent six months at the Naval Communications School at Imperial Beach. George then served with the Naval Security Group at Kami Seya, Japan, from 1959 to 1962. During that period, he received the highest possible conduct and proficiency ratings for five consecutive periods and was recommended five times to attend Officer Candidate School. George also qualified each year as an expert rifleman. He was selected to participate in two special missions to Tatar Straits and the Sea of Okhotsk aboard the submarines USS Ronquil and USS Greenfish. He then received an honorable discharge with the rank of Corporal in 1962, attended the University of Texas at Arlington, and graduated with a degree in History, with a second major in English and a minor in Philosophy. While attending UTA, he worked full time for Complete Auto Transports, Texas & Pacific Transportation and United Transports. Upon graduation, George served at several of United Transports’ terminals, including New Orleans, LA, where he met the love of his life, Patricia, at a church social. After he was transferred to United’s home office in Oklahoma City, OK, Patricia became his wife and her two children, Paul and Heather, became his children in 1977, and he loved each of them with all of his heart. George became the Director of Operations Control for United in 1980, having risen from the position of junior clerk to that of Director. After United was purchased by another company, George resigned and enrolled in the Oklahoma City University School of Law. He worked his way through law school as a Research Assistant for Justice Doolin of the Oklahoma Supreme Court and Judge Parks of the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. George graduated first in his night school class in 1988 with a Doctorate in Law and practiced oil and gas law until he became the General Counsel for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce in 2001. Unfortunately, George had been diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis in 1999. In 2002, he began having a series of surgeries and hospitalizations for pneumonia and was thus unable to continue his law practice; although he did do legal research and writing from home for various clients. In the fall of 2013 after Pat retired, they moved to the Austin area to be closer to their daughter and her family.

George was an accomplished amateur photographer and did his own darkroom work. He enjoyed cooking and surprising his family with new recipes. He and Pat were experienced square dancers. He enjoyed going to the range with his son, and taught himself to use alternate hands when shooting firearms. He held a 1st degree Brown Belt from the Kobukan School of Jujitsu in Yokohama, Japan, a 1st degree Black Belt in Aikido and a 2nd degree Black Belt in Jyodo. He taught scripture classes at Grace United Methodist Church and had previously served as head usher until his health failed him.

George is survived by his beloved wife, Pat; his daughter, Heather; her husband, Terry; and his granddaughters, Brittany and Lauren. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his son, Paul. George never fully recovered from the loss of his son but always firmly believed that they would be reunited in heaven. George loved God with all his heart, soul and mind, and loved his family in the same way.

Visitation is Saturday, January 10, 2015 at the Cook Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home, located at 14501 North Interstate 35, Pflugerville, TX 78660 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The funeral service will be held at 3:00 PM Sunday, January 11 at the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow at CookWalden/Capital Parks Cemetery.

Condolences may be left at www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com.