Obituary
Born in Somerville, TN on February 23, 1931 to Helen Hobson and Jerome Henry Sneed. Jack experienced a tragic loss at a young age when his father heroically gave his life to save Jack and two other boys from a riptide in Fort Walton Beach. Jack and his mother moved to Nashville, TN where they had a strong family network. A few years later Helen married Sedgewick “Cotton” West and ultimately the family moved to Orlando where Jack, now 12, was gifted with a sister, Judith (Judy Forshay) who he adored.
Jack attended Orlando High School (Class of 1949) and made lifelong friends who taught him to hunt, fish and explore the outdoors. He went on to pursue higher education at the University of Florida and worked his way through school. To find jobs in the summer, he would hitchhike out west and sometimes hop on trains to work in the wheat fields or cut timber. Jack spent a year at University of Florida law school but then became an insurance claims adjuster and moved to the Tampa/St Pete area in 1956 with his new wife, Jacqueline Lathrop where they started a family. In 1961 they transferred to Orlando and in 1968, the family moved to College Park in Orlando where they lived for 55 years. They became committed members of First Presbyterian Church and he generously gave his time to mentoring programs and leadership in the Yowell Sunday School class for over 50 years. Jack had 4 children, Daphne Lynn (Holcomb), Joel Jerome, Paula Ann (Moss), and Ruth Ellen (Rahaley), 6 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren.
Much of his career was spent working in investigations for local law firms on large commercial trials. He was widely considered one of the best investigators in Orlando. Jack attained membership to the Travelers’ Century Club, a distinction for those traveling to 100+ countries. Ultimately Jack traveled to 256 countries or protectorates and always had the best stories to share. His favorite trips were usually off the beaten track. He had a penchant and love of investing and was always willing to sit down with friends and extended family and offer help with their portfolios, often sending multi-page hand-written letters with prospectuses attached. His passion for investing and finances allowed him to send all his children to college debt-free and he proudly provided for his grandchildren’s college educations.
Jack was also an excellent fisherman and spent a lot of time in Chokoloskee, FL. It was a real treat to join Jack on a fishing trip. The joy came from not only fishing, but from hearing a great storyteller share his adventures. In recent years, he developed a real fondness for gardening and had one of the prettiest backyards in College Park. If you summed up Jack (John) Newton Sneed, you would know him as a good man with a generous spirit. From his humble beginnings in Tennessee to his extensive travels across the globe, Jack’s spirit of curiosity and exploration touched the lives of all who know him. His memory will live on in the stories he told, the lives he touched, and the love he shared.
In lieu of flowers or other gifts, donations may be made to the Music Mission Kiev or the Orlando Union Rescue Mission
A Memorial Service will be held at First Presbyterian Church Chapel on March 25, 2024 at 11am.
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