Gene Austin Snow

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ORANGEVILLE – Gene Austin Snow, age 88, the Patriarch of the Snow Family, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family on March 21, 2016. He lived a happy and full life of service to his family and the community. He was born to Perry Edward and Pauline Alga Oveson Snow in Ferron, Utah, Jan. 11, 1928. He grew up in Ferron and has lived most of his adult life in Orangeville.
He loved music, both directing and singing. His music career began singing in the South Emery High choir and as a Drum Major for the school. He showed his wonderful directing skills as a church choir director for the Orangeville ward for many years. The ward choir was famous at the time and traveled throughout Carbon and Emery County singing at various church services.
After High School, he was enlisted in the Navy towards the end of WWII, and was stationed at the Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. After his service in the Navy, he returned home to marry Joan Moffitt in the Manti Temple on October 7, 1949. Gene began an illustrious 33 year career, working for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Deseret Transportation, and Welfare Services Department. He traveled all over the country taking welfare supplies to Bishop’s storehouses and supplies for new chapels.
He loved fishing and hunting, and taught hunter’s safety in Orangeville for many years. He was able to pass on his love of the outdoors as a Scout Master for many years and become a Jamboree Leader at the 1969 National Jamboree at Farragut State Park, Idaho. Due to his many years of service to the Boy Scouts, he was awarded the Silver Beaver, one of the Boy Scout’s highest honors. He helped many young men achieve their Eagle Scout Award.
He served faithfully throughout his entire life in many church callings. He was particularly fond of his time in missionary service. He served as the President of the stake Seventy for many years and eventually served a full-time mission with Joan in the Australia Adelaide Mission. In addition, he served in the Bishopric under two Bishops. Gene and Joan also served as ordinance workers in the Manti Temple.
Gene’s children were the highlight of his life. He loved spending every moment he had with them and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Much of his time was spent in his beautiful garden, cooking and woodworking, mostly for his posterity. A highlight of his love for woodworking was making wooden plaques for the missionaries in the Castle Dale Stake. His love of children was shown through his service as the school playground monitor at Cottonwood Elementary. He was fondly referred to as the “Candy Man.”
Gene is survived by his wife Joan, his eight children, Peggy (Dennis) Gordon, Huntington, Utah, Pamela Snow, Paige, Arizona, Bryant (Maeleen) Snow, Orangeville, Utah, Barry (Marti) Snow, Orangeville, Utah, Gina (William) Wadley, Henderson, Nevada, Patricia (Douglas) Porter, Tualatin, Oregon, Brent (Oliana) Snow, Downers Grove, Illinois, and James (Kirsten) Snow, Payson, Utah. Gene and Joan have 33 grandchildren and 46 great-grandchildren with three more great-grandchildren on the way.
He was preceded in death by his father, Perry Edward Snow, his mother, Pauline Alga Oveson Snow, his older brother, Ludean Snow, his sister Geneva Tuttle, his three younger brothers, Kirk Snow, Brent Snow and Paul Snow. He is also preceded in death by grandchildren, Jennifer Snow and Carter McOmie.
Funeral services were held Thursday, March 24, 2016 at 12:00 noon at the Orangeville 1st Ward Chapel. A viewing was held Wednesday, March 23, 2016 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Fausett Mortuary, Castle Dale and one hour prior to services. Interment, Orangeville City Cemetery with military honors.
Services are entrusted to Fausett Mortuary of Emery County. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook and share memories of Gene Austin at www.fausettmortuary.com.