Joe H. Snipes

Feb 9, 2010

Joe Harris Snipes, 90, of Lehigh Acres died Friday, February 5, 2010 at his home. He was born in Roswell, New Mexico, on August 21, 1919 to Frank and Helen G. Snipes.

He graduated from Roswell High School and attended Woodbury College. Returning to Roswell he worked for the Roswell Building and Loan Assn. and in public accounting. During WW II he was a cryptographic technician in the Air Force stationed in Canada and Alaska.

After the war he worked for a propane trucking company relocating their operation to El Paso, TX. The company was purchased by Northern Propane Gas Company, a subsidiary of Northern Natural Gas Company (later Enron). Joe was plant manager in El Paso, Puerto Rico, Clarksfield, OH and Tampa retiring in 1977 after 31 years in the business.

Snipes was pre-deceased by his first wife, Gwen, his daughter, Kay, his parents, four sisters, Elsie, Ella, Helen and Francis and his twin brother, Al.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Vera, daughters Alva Jo and Mary and son Joe Jr., 15 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Also his stepson, Jack (Betty) Mitchell.

Snipes was a 32nd degree Mason for 50 years as well as a 50-year Shriner, becoming very active in the Shriners for the last 10 years. He was past president of the Shrine Club in Tampa, secretary/treasurer of the Lehigh Acres Shrine Club and was on the Araba Shriners Hospital committee. He was also a member of Christ United Methodist Church and associate member of the First Community Congregational Church.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10 at Lee Memorial Park Funeral Home 12777 State Road 82, Fort Myers. Visitation will continue on Thursday, Feb. 11 from 9 a.m. until the funeral service at 10 a.m.at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Lee Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorials in his name may be sent to Hope Hospice 25 Homestead Rd. N Lehigh Acres, FL 33936 or Araba Shrine Transportation Fund, Araba Shrine Center, 2021 Hanson Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901.

Arrangements by Lee Memorial Park Funeral Home, (239) 334-4880.