Cover photo for Kenneth Snow's Obituary
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1927 Kenneth 2010

Kenneth Snow

June 13, 1927 — September 7, 2010

Kenneth Wayne Snow Long time resident of EI Macero, Ken Snow, passed away Sept. 7, 2010. Born in Rush Springs, Oklahoma June 13, 1927, he was the younger of two sons born to William Franklin Snow and Chloe Holden. During the depression the family moved to Oklahoma City for 8 years before leaving for the California Coast at Santa Monica where Ken became an expert surfer and attended grammar school. In 1941.

With World War II about two years old and the Japanese threatening the entire Pacific region, the family moved away from the coast to Yuba City where Ken attended and graduated from High School before being drafted into the U.S. Navy where he served for two years. Following his military service Ken attended Yuba College, San Jose State University and Hastings Law School. During this time his lifelong love of aircraft and flying became the most important aspect of his ambitions. In 1947 he bought, and learned to fly, a Piper Cub at Cheim Field in Marysville. Throughout his life he owned several different kinds of civilian aircraft In addition to building others.

On a touring trip in 1948 to Europe he met a young English girl, Phyllis Cutler, whose family had immigrated to the United States and who was returning on a ship to England on family business. A year later, after Phyllis had returned to the U.S., the pair was married on a Radio Program in Los Angeles. They eventually settled in the Bay area where Ken was able to pursue his flying and began his career with Pan American Airways as a celestial navigator. Because of his expertise in navigation he became the principal celestial navigation Instructor for the Company. With the advent of new navigational systems replacing celestial navigation he returned to the cockpit and flew first as copilot and then as Captain for many years. His service as Captain took him to every country in the world serviced by Pan American. He flew every type of aircraft owned by the company, from propeller driven transports to 747 jets, before retiring at age 60 after 35 years with Pan American.

Ken was preceded in death by Phyllis on February 2, 2010. They leave two sons, Gregory end Christopher as well as several close relatives who live In the Davis area. Ken will be sorely missed by all who were privileged to know him on a personal basis, but especially by his sons, his daughter-In -law Lauren Snow, grandsons Geoffrey and Jeremy Snow, Brother Gordon and his wife Jean Snow, and niece Hillary and her husband Robert Holwell.

A graveside service will be held Friday, October 1, 2010 at 9:30 A.M. at Sacramento Valley VA National Cemetery; 5810 Midway Road in Dixon.


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