Sergeant Major James Winfred Snow, Jr., U.S. Army retired, passed away on December 23, 2020.
Jay began his 29-year military service in 1969 when he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam as a member of the 101st Airborne Division as a paratrooper communication specialist. Later, he attended the Defense Language Institute where he studied Russian. During his career, he served at the Pentagon in the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In 1984, he moved to the White House where he worked on the Washington-Moscow Hotline. After various other assignments and his eventual promotion to Sergeant Major, he retired in 1998 after finishing his Army career at the National Security Agency.
After retirement, Jay graduated from the Birmingham School of Law and worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Walker County. After leaving the D.A.’s office, he devoted his time to serving other veterans and their families through the American Legion Woods-Smith Post 9 in Jasper where he served as Post Adjutant. He also served as Judge Advocate for the American Legion Department of Alabama.
Graveside services and interment will be Monday December 28, 2020 at 2:00 pm at New Horizon Memorial Gardens in Dora. Chaplain Larry Stewart will officiate. Due to the current Covid-19 protocols, the visitation will be for the immediate family only. Everyone who would like to do so, may attend the graveside service.
He was preceded in death by his father, James W. Snow, Sr. and his mother, Donie Snow.
Survivors include his wife, Linda Prestley Snow; children, Sloan Snow and wife Sumer Craig and Morgan Snow Skelton and husband Matt; grandchildren, Luke and Prestley Skelton and Ivy and Ruth Snow; siblings, Rick Snow (Brenda), Elizabeth Snow, Patricia Key (Leland), Sandra Prestley (Johnny), David Snow (Donna), Jena Guerin and Gaye Martin.
He was most proud of his family, especially his four grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to American Legion Woods-Smith Post 9, Veterans Relief Fund, P.O. Box 1204 Jasper, AL 35502 to continue Jay’s legacy of advocacy for veterans.
New Horizon Memorial Funeral Home, Dora directing 205-648-2323
