RAY VICTOR SNAPP - OBITUARY

October 3, 1925 - September 20, 2016

TROY - Ray V. Snapp, age 90, passed away on Tuesday, September 20, 2016 at Upper Valley Medical Center in Troy. He was born on October 3, 1925 in Thackery, OH to the late Oren Franklin and Mary Myrtle (Shaffer) Snapp. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three wives: Beulah Birdie Snapp, Martha Marty (Hartman) Snapp and Virginia Molly Snapp; one sister, Eva Claar; and three brothers, Orville, Ivan and Bob.

Ray is survived by special niece, Virginia "Ginny" Henderson of Miamisburg; one sister, Lelah Baker of Copan, OK; several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and several great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.

Ray was a 1943 high school graduate. He was an automotive technician by trade. Ray proudly served his country as a member of the US Navy from February 28, 1944 until June 6, 1946. He was a Yeoman 2nd Class. Ray served during World War II in the Pacific Theatre, where he earned five Battle Stars and two Purple Hearts. He served aboard the USS Woodworth and the USS Pensacola CA24. Ray was a Charter Member of US Navy Memorial, Charter Member of the WWII Museum in New Orleans, LA, Charter Member of WWII Committee, Charter Member of Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg, TX, Co-Chairman of Cruiser Museum on the Yorktown, Chairman-Treasurer-Secretary of USS Pensacola CA24 Reunion Association, Lifetime Member of American Legion, VFW, DAV, Military Order of Purple Hearts, American Veteran Non Commissioned Officers Association and National Association for Uniform Service. For several years starting in 1997, Ray gave a talk to Troy Junior High School students about World War II and held a 21 Bell Salute Memorial Service at the school using the students in the performance. He would gather playing cards from casinos and ship them to VA hospitals and to Iraq. Ray was an honorary Captain of the US Navy and State Representative for US Cruisers Association.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Troy with Rev. Fr. James Duell as Celebrant. Burial will be in Terre Haute Cemetery in Urbana, OH with full military honors. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday at BAIRD FUNERAL HOME in Troy.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.bairdfuneralhome.com.