Thomas Blake Snyder

Thomas, Tom, Tommy, Dad, Granddad, Husband and Friend - he went by many names but was truly oneof-a-kind. Tom was a lifelong resident of Newport News, born on July 15, 1942, he passed away peacefully on Wednesday afternoon with his family by his side. He and his wife Jean were married for more than 50 years and they had two children Elizabeth (Beth) and John; other family to include a daughter-in-law Traci and two grandchildren Ryan and Kyle. Tom had two brothers Bobby and Billy and a sister Sylvia as well as many nieces and nephews.

Tom graduated from Warwick High School and served in the U.S. Air Force in England for three years. After his service he attended and graduated from the Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School as a tool maker. He worked at Newport News Shipbuilding for several years and finished out his carrier working at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard as a Nuclear Submarine Inspector; where he received numerous awards for his work.

Tommy was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing all of his life and was a member of the Chesapeake Hunt Club for many years. He spent much of his life at Burwell's Bay, surrounded by family and close friends. He loved fishing from the beach or boat with his son and grandsons. His later years were spent caring for his wife Jean, as she was ill. It was a heavy burden that he carried without fail or complaint. That's just what he did for the people he loved. He was indeed one-of-a-kind.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, June 25, 2023 from 4-5PM at W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home. A graveside service will be on Monday, June 26, 2023 in Peninsula Memorial Park at 1pm. Please leave condolences at www.wjsmithandson.com.