James Arthur

Snodgrass

James Arthur Snodgrass, Sr. was born February 2, 1947, in Toledo, Ohio to the union of Marshall and Edna Louise (Barnett) Snodgrass. He was a sibling to one brother and four sisters, the father of two boys and two girls, and a very proud grandfather and great grandfather.

After graduating from Woodward High School in 1965, he worked for Doehler-Jarvis and retired in 1998. In 1999, he began his second career as a world traveler and community activist. James was a past Commander of the Hyatt-Allen Post, Vice President of the Junction Street Coalition, Ward Chairman for District 4, Board Member of the Frederick Douglass Center, Board Member of the Wilson Park Advisory Board. He was a beloved basketball coach, basketball and football referee, umpire and union steward. He was a Vietnam Veteran, and he also served on several committees including (but not limited to) the Huntington Center Planning Committee, the Diversity Team for the Lucas County Arena Committee, the New Woodward High School Building Committee, Democratic Member of the Central Committee, the Union Committee for Doehler-Jarvis, as well as the Goose Hill Alumni and Friends Committee. He was a member of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) and a strong supporter of the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union (TUFCU). Of all his many accomplishments, James regarded being a "Child of the King" as his most important.

Outside of his extensive community service, James enjoyed spending time with friends and family, conversing on nearly every subject matter, traveling, enjoying a good meal, and partaking in a good game of chance. Though he visited 4 different continents and numerous cities across North America, he loved Toledo, Ohio most, as shown through his tireless volunteerism.

Mr. Snodgrass was predeceased by his parents, sister Cynthia Harper, brother Leon Barnett, and granddaughter Elise Gordon.

James leaves to cherish his memory, siblings Ann Hall, Marlena Hinton-Carter, Eva Lyle; life-long best friends Oscar Hill, Robert Odoms, Sandra Forney-Byrd, and Wayne Boyd; ex-wives Mae L. Snodgrass and Roushelle Snodgrass; children James A. Snodgrass Jr., Micheal Evans Sr. (and his mother Hilda Evans), Ebony (Charles) Snodgrass-King, and Morgan (Edward) Gordon. James also leaves behind a loving and extended family that includes numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. His legacy continues through the lives of his siblings, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins, all of whom were touched by his warmth, generosity, and authenticity. The bonds he shared with them reflected his deep commitment to family and the importance he placed on nurturing relationships across generations.