Branson businessman Gary Snadon, 73, ended his 5 month battle with pancreatic and liver cancer on Thursday, October 31st. He was surrounded by family and friends. He will be greatly missed but the family is rejoicing that he is safe in the arms of Jesus.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:30 p.m., Monday, November 4, 2013 at Williams Memorial Chapel on College of the Ozarks campus with Pastor Kris Pace officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery near Silver Dollar City. Arrangements are under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home of Branson.
He was born on February 15, 1940 in Lockwood, MO, the son of William and Grace Carter Snadon. Snadon graduated from Pittsburg State University in 1962 with a Bachelor’s degree in Education. He taught at the high school level and coached football for several years. In fact, it was coaching that lead him to Branson where he was the head football coach and teacher at Branson High School from 1965-1969, and led the Branson Pirates to an undefeated season in 1968.
The recipient of several civic and professional awards, Snadon was inducted in the Pittsburg State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989. He is a member of the Pittsburg State University Foundation, Inc. Board of Trustees and was a member of PSU’s 1961 National Championship football team.
Gary Snadon lived in Branson where he owned and operated several businesses including The Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Theatre, Branson Hotline, Roark Vacation Resort, and Emerald Pointe. Almost any place you turn in Branson you will find evidence of the Snadon’s legacy in the little Ozark’s town. He built several motels, music theatres, Ride the Ducks and is responsible for building The Shepherd of the Hills Expressway, the road that parallels Hwy 76 and offers visitors a relief from heavy traffic.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Pat Snadon of the home, Two daughters: Shawna Sullivan and husband Doug of Denton, TX, Sharena Naugher and husband Shane of Branson, MO, a brother, Daryl Snadon of Dallas, TX, six grandchildren: Sharay, Samara and Sercy Sullivan and Skylee, Sayer and Sutton Naugher. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be held from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, November 3, 2013 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial donations be made to a charity of one’s choice.