John Henry Snowden, Jr.

Maple, NC – John Henry Snowden, Jr., 83, of Maple passed peacefully on the evening of August 1, 2012.

A native of Currituck County, he was born on July 3, 1929 at Maple, NC – the son of the late John (Johnnie) Henry Snowden, Sr. and Josephine Williams Snowden.

He is survived by his wife, Martha Jo Bateman Snowden of Maple; his son, John Henry Snowden, III of Maple; and daughter Ginger Jo Snowden of Maple; and Black Jack, his beloved canine companion, also of Maple.

John Jr. is also survived by his sisters, Joyce Marie Bell (husband Horace) of Maple; Jo Ann Morris (husband Travis) of Maple; sister-in-law, Maryann Smith (husband Tom, deceased) of Richmond, Va; sister-in-law, H. Marie Munson (husband Bill) of River Edge, NJ; sister-in-law, Gloria Roberts (husband A. Norman) of Shawboro, NC; brother-in-law, Benjamine O. Bateman, Jr. (partner Bobby McCoy) of Onancock, Va; as well as many cousins, nephews and nieces.

John Jr. was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the Army-Air Force as an aircraft mechanic. After training at Kessler Air Force Base, Biloxi Mississippi, he was stationed in Barrow, Alaska. During his military service he achieved the rank of Technical Staff Sergeant. After receiving an honorable discharge in 1952, John Jr. served over 14 years in the Air Force Reserves working as an investigator at Langley Air Force Base, Hampton, Va.

In late 1987, he retired from the Naval Air Rework Facility – Norfolk after 36 years of civil service as a jet aircraft mechanic, working on A6 Intruders and F14 Tomcats.

John Jr. was an avid and creative painter and artist, founding and owning Snowden Signs in Maple. After retirement, he pursued the painting of intricately detailed yard art, drawing of cartoons and other caricatures.

John Jr. also enjoyed researching the history of northeastern North Carolina and our state; hanging and setting fishing nets in Coinjock Bay, the North River and Currituck Sound; flounder and rock fishing with his father-in-law, the late Benjamine “Otto” Bateman, Sr., in the Narrows at Poplar Branch, and tending his backyard collard and sweet potato patch.

Those who knew him or met him can tell you he was quite a character. He maintained his sense of humor and charm to the very end.

A memorial service celebrating the life of our father, husband, brother and friend will be held at Rehoboth Baptist Church, Maple, NC in early September and will be announced later this month.

A private service and interment will be held afterward.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in John Jr.’s name to the Currituck County Public Library, Barco, NC; Rehoboth Baptist Church, Maple, NC; or, Community Hospice, 1601 N. Road St., Suite B, Elizabeth City, NC.

Condolences to the family may be expressed via the on-line register at: www.gallopfuneralservices.com.

Gallop Funeral Services, Inc. of Nag’s Head, NC is assisting the family with arrangements.