Edward Snead Jr.

Judge Edward Paul Snead Jr.

Closed casket services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Thursday, October 18, 2007, at First Presbyterian Church for Judge Edward Paul Snead Jr., who passed away October 14, 2007 at Eastern New Mexico Medical Center. Dr. Hugh Burroughs of First Presbyterian Church will officiate. Burial will follow at South Park Cemetery. Visitation for Judge Snead will be on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at Ballard Funeral Home from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Family will great friends at the Ballard Funeral Home from 6-7 p.m.

Judge Snead was born October 12, 1922 in Idabel, Oklahoma to Edward Paul Snead Sr. and Opal West Snead. His parents have preceded him in death as well as one brother: Arthur Snead and one niece Dr. Sara Sue Tyler.

Judge Snead graduated from Idabel High School as salutatorian of his class. After two years at Southeastern Oklahoma University in Durant, Oklahoma, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps where he became a B-24 Liberator bomber pilot. He flew his missions in the South Pacific Theater during World War II.

Judge Snead married Dorothy Williams on June 7, 1945 in Durant, Oklahoma. His wife survives him at the family home.

Judge Snead is also survived by his son: Edward Paul Snead III and his wife Sharon of Buena Vista, Colorado; his daughters: Laura Jane Waters and husband John of Mountain Home, Arkansas and Susan Zimmer Allen and husband John of Salisbury, MD; his brother; John Robert Snead and wife Mary Lou of Kokomo, Indiana; his sister: Amelia Tyler and husband Ralph of Oklahoma City, OK; one grandchild; Daniel Zimmer of Salisbury, MD; he is also survived by four nieces and two nephews and their families and numerous cousins.

Judge Snead was devoted and dedicated to his family, his church, the law and his community. He spent his entire working life in Roswell where he practiced law for twenty-seven years and was a Judge in the Fifth Judicial District for fifteen years.

Judge Snead arrived in Roswell in the summer of 1948 after graduating from the University of Oklahoma Law School. While he established residency in order to take the New Mexico Bar exam, he began his legal career in January of 1949 as a sole practitioner and soon joined the firm of Frazier and Cusack where he was a partner until he joined Dick Bean in practice in 1955. Judge Snead again became a sole practitioner in 1966. He was appointed to the district court bench in 1970 and served in the capacity until 1985, when he retired from the bench and joined Jennings and Christy as of counsel. Judge Snead left Jennings and Christy in 1987, and was of counsel to Phil Brewer until 1992, when he fully retired from the practice of law. After leaving the district court bench, Judge Snead was designated by the New Mexico Supreme Court to hear several cases as a pro tem judge. Fifteen years after retirement, Judge Snead is still considered one of the best lawyers to have practiced in Roswell and certainly one of the best district judges to have held that post. His professionalism in his practice, his fairness on the bench, and his general good humor which he brought to both tasks will be deeply missed.

Through the years he also served as PTA President for Valley View School, on the Board of the Regional Girl Scouts, won the Grand Ribbon at the Eastern New Mexico State Fair for his hooked rug, gave programs appearing as the Choctaw Baritone, went to numerous organizations with his YOU BE THE JUDGE program.
P He spent his vacation time teaching through the NITA program in law schools in New Mexico, Texas, Arizona and California

Visitation

Ballard Funeral Home
910 S. Main
Roswell, NM  88203
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Service

Funeral Services

First Presbyterian Church
400 West Third Street
Roswell, NM  88201
Thursday, October 18, 2007
2:00 p.m.

Memorial Contributions

First Presbyterian Church
400 West Third Street
Roswell, NM  88201

CASA
500 N. Main St
Roswell, NM  88201