Obituary: Snow, Milton Ray “Mike”
Age 94
Mike was born on June 26, 1920 in Sumner, Washington.
After graduating from Sumner High School he worked in the Sumner and Seattle areas before being drafted into the U.S. Army in February, 1942.
On the day he was drafted, he became engaged to the love of his life, Juanita Jean Philby.
They were married on May 30th, 1942 in St. Louis, Missouri.
Mike served his country at several locations in the Army Air Corps, but he and Jean spent most of his service in Wilmington, Delaware where he repaired radio equipment on aircraft.
After being honorably discharged in December, 1945, they moved back to Sumner.
After several years, Mike and Jean relocated to Spokane.
They owned and operated the Trentwood Grocery in the Spokane Valley for three years.
Mike also enjoyed some very successful years as a life insurance salesman.
In 1957 he purchased Stewart Sandwiches and successfully ran that business in Spokane for a quarter century.
After retiring from Stewart Sandwiches, Mike and Jean enjoyed many years of travel, volunteering and enjoying good times with their family.
They loved spending summers at their cabin on Lake Coeur d’Alene where he enjoyed sailing, boating, swimming and life on the beach.
Mike and Jean also enjoyed many winters in Palm Springs.
Mike was a 50 year member of Spokane Central Lions Club, serving as president and zone chairman.
Mike was a longtime member of Spokane Masonic Lodge #34 and a Valley of Spokane Scottish Rite 33rd degree Mason.
He was a founding member of the Scottish Rite Children’s Language Disorder Center (now called RiteCare Spokane) and emeritus member of the Board.
As an El Katif Shrine Greeter he delighted in giving tours of the beautiful Shrine Hospital.
For much of his life Mike was an avid downhill skier.
He also enjoyed sailing a small boat on Lake Coeur d’Alene.
He was an enthusiastic fan of the W.S.U.
Cougars.
Mike is survived by his wife of 73 years, Juanita Jean Snow; his sons, Dr. Jeffery Snow (Julie) of Spokane and Dr. Patrick Snow (Kristine) of Hillsboro, Oregon; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Jennifer (Scott) Nicks, Jeremy and Andrew (Spokane); Daniel (CJ) Snow, Cooper, Madison, Leighton (Spokane); Sam (Christy) Snow, Matt and Ben (Beaverton, OR); Katie Snow (Rick Bush), Ellie (Hillsboro, OR), and Megan Snow (John Simpkin), Madeline (Beaverton, OR).
He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie Snow and Elsie Hanson; and his brother, Paul Snow.
Mike led a happy and full life.
He will be missed greatly by his family and friends.
A celebration of life, followed by a reception, will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday June 27 at Riverview Terrace Chapel at 1801 E. Upriver Drive in Spokane.
Memorial donations may be sent to RiteCare Spokane or Spokane Central Lions Club.