Pastor James C. Snow, age 77, of St. Francis went to be with the Lord November 27, 2021. A memorial service will be held at 4:00 P.M. Saturday, December 11th at First Baptist Church in St. Francis with a meal and time for visiting to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation that will go toward a special memorial for his ministry at First Baptist Church and St Francis Christian School.
James Charles Snow was born on January 30, 1944, in Syracuse, New York. He lived most of his youth in central New York near the Finger Lakes. After growing up in a non-church going family, he was invited to a church youth group by two friends. He and his brother, Bob, started attending the United Christian Church of Marietta, New York, and both accepted the Lord on Easter Sunday 1960. He became a member of his high school Youth for Christ Bible Quiz team and learned much scripture.
In the summer of 1961, he started dating Beverly Cady. Feeling the Lord calling him to ministry, he went to Bob Jones University in 1964, taking pastoral ministry classes. Jim and Bev married in August 1966. Upon completing his bachelor’s degree, he headed to Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Minneapolis. He put himself through seminary working at AT&T alongside many seminary students with whom he formed lifelong friendships.
The January before graduation, the ministry in Silver Bay opened up so he commuted from Minneapolis to Silver Bay every week for 6 months. He pastored the Silver Bay Baptist Church for 15 years until the mining company shut down in 1986. The family moved to St. Francis where Jim served as head pastor of First Baptist church until 2008. He continued to serve as Pastor Emeritus at First Baptist Church of St. Francis working with the church’s senior citizens until he suffered a stroke in 2018. In his semi-retirement, he enjoyed being a chauffeur, meeting many famous people and having an opportunity to share the Lord with many of them.
Jim enjoyed a variety of leisure activities. He loved watching his children play various sports and hardly missed a game if he could help it. In Silver Bay, he was taught to deer hunt and fish and loved doing both activities. His father-in-law insisted he learn golf which he became fairly good at, and it became a love of his, although during his college days, basketball was his favorite and best sport. In fact, during his senior year of college he made the list of top ten basketball players at Bob Jones University.
The things Jim loved were evident in his life. For many years, Jim read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation each year. The family Christmas celebrations never really began until he read the scriptural account of the birth of Christ.
Jim is survived by his wife, Beverly, 5 children and their spouses: Crystal and David Day, Mike and Lauri Snow, Greg and Leigh Ann Snow, Becky and Chris Friese and Kenny and Sadie Snow. 12 grandchildren, 3 of whom are married: Samantha (Snow) and Shea Cutshaw, Taylor (Snow) and Cody Dullinger, Danielle (Day) and Matthew Robertson, David Day III, Ryan, Makayla, Leslie and Kyleigh Snow, Madelyn, Eryn, and Dylan Friese, and Macie Snow. 3 great grandchildren: Carter Cutshaw, Jason Robertson, and Rylee Cutshaw. He also leaves many cousins, nieces and nephews, and a host of friends and co-workers.
After hearing of pastor passing. I went out to my AZ. room and look at all the pictures of myself with pastor fly in fishing trip to canada and deer hunting , moose hunting . playing cards, and alway ready to help other. One tme I was complaining about someone owing me some money. He smiled at me and said when ever he give some money he would say it not a loan. That way if he didn’t get it back it didn’t upset him Wise man. How he was there when Judy and I where having marrage problems . I will away remember the tears falling from his eyes as I cried and him just hugging me abd saying pray and trust the Lord and everything will be ok my heart is heavy but I kniw I will see my beloved pastor,friend ,fishing buddy,hunting buddy again
Preacher was a great man. A man who encouraged, loved and gave wisdom to all those around him. I don’t have a lot of memories of preacher but the one I do have is perhaps one of my most important ones. He was the man that baptized me. Always pointing me to Christ in the way that he lived. He was a man who talked the talk and walked the walk. Can’t wait to see you again. Your impact has gone from generation to generation in my family. And it will continue to trickle down many more I’m sure! I can hear Jesus now… “Welcome home Jim, my good and faithful servant. Welcome home.”
“So sorry to hear about Uncle Jim. Our hearts break for you all. . He was loved by so many, we will cherish all the great memories we have of him and that great wonderful smile and the laughter as he beat you at cards . One of my favorite pictures is of Uncle Jim and Aunt Bev sitting on a bench with my husband and I . We were getting ready to play miniature golf on one of their trips to PA, his smile is infectious. Such a wonderful man , Pastor, Husband and Father. Prayers for all of you . The Welch Family.”
Jim Snow was an example of consistently serving God in good times and rough times. We are grateful for he and Bev sharing Greg when he attended our church and for also allowing me to be part of Crystal & Dan’s wedding.
We will temporarily miss you Jim!