Paul Koontz Snider

Paul Koontz Snider, 89, passed away peacefully, December 23, 2013, at his home with loving family by his side. The funeral will be 2 pm Friday, December 27, 2013 at Paul’s Chapel United Church of Christ where he was a charter member and a member of the choir for more than 60 years. He was also a member of the Men’s Bible Class where he served as president. His grandson Rev. Aaron Long and Rev. Jimmy Norred will officiate the service with burial to follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday from 6 to 8 pm at the Davidson Funeral Home and Paul will lie in state one hour prior to the service on Friday. Paul, a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, was born March 26, 1924, in Welcome, NC, to Will and Olivia Snider. Paul served in the European Theater during World War II, landing on Normandy Beach as part of the D-Day invasion. He received the Eamet Campaign Medal with 5 Bronze Service Stars – Victory Medal. Paul had a 20 year career as a Lead Mechanic at Hanes Hosiery. Following his career at Hanes, he was a Welding Instructor at the Davidson County Community College for 20 years, retiring in 1989. He was honored for his excellence in teaching by receiving the Outstanding Educators of America Award in 1975. Paul was a lifelong blacksmith and is known for his creative metal work artistry. He was a charter member of the West Lexington Lions Club where he is a past president. He was a member of American Legion Reeds Post 162. Paul was known as the “Candy Man” by the children of his church and his health care workers. He was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter Paula Snider Long; and his brothers Ira Snider, J. W. Snider, and Dr. Bob Snider; and his sisters Veigh Snider, Pauline Pickle, and Mary Craver. He is survived by his wife, Peggy Roberson Snider who was the love of his life for 67 years; son, Rick Snider (Linda) of Lexington; son-in-law, David Long of Midway; sister-in-law, Betty Roberson of Lexington; grandsons, Garth Snider (Donna) of Marietta, Ga, Julian Jensen (Jenny) of Blountville, TN, Rev. Aaron Long (Joanna) of Lexington, Christian Long (Pam) of Midway; great-grandchildren, Isabelle and Landon Snider, Sara and Christopher Long, and Eva Dunn; also several loving nieces and nephews. Family requests that memorials be made to Paul’s Chapel United Church of Christ, 2791 West Center Street Extension, Lexington, NC 27295.