The family of James “Jim” Q. Sneed has requested the Patriot Guard Riders in honoring the life of their beloved husband, father, and grandfather. It shall be our honor to do so.
He was born Moultrie, Georgia and after 86 years of life moved from Apple Valley after 39 years residence to be with the Lord on 11 April. The loves of his life included his family, golf, bowling, his country, and “good old country music”.
On June 15, 1948 Jim joined the Navy in his home state and and had basic training in Port Hueneme, Calif. He was attached to the SeaBee Construction Batt 1504 and attained the rank of CM3. His duties included welding, pipeline, and heavy equipment to name a few. He once had a welding “flash burn” severe enough to be hospitalized for 38 days according to his wife of 48 years, Patty. Fortunately no permanent damage was incurred.
Because of the extreme faded condition of his DD-214 little info came be gathered by family members on his USN career which ended in 1952. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and spent time in the Phillipines, Guam, and Saipan as part of his deployments. He didn’t discuss his time in the Navy with his family which was during the Korean conflict
He never bothered to join any veteran organizations but did ride motorcycle(s) which included a 750cc Yamaha with “gooseneck” handlebars according to his wife, she herself, a former rider. He engaged in golf and bowling and frequently bowled with Roy Rogers, “King of the Cowboys”, who was an avid bowler.
Following his service to his country he enrolled at various colleges including Florida State Univ and trade schools to study communications. For over four decades he worked at various companies from New York, to Alaska, to California and places in between finally retiring in 1995 Apple Valley with Contel.
Jim also was involved in CB radios and HAM radio. He was a member of REACT Chl 9 during the 80’s which I myself belonged to. He recorded virtually every conversation and with whom, which MAY have included myself. We may have met at a REACT meeting. I do not recall these moments but his wife remembers. He had an antenna mounted on a 50 foot tower and could receive “skip” signals quite well. One of these moments included from his own daughter, Valerie, who was driving towards Alaska through Canada and surrounded by the flames of a wild fire when she had a blowout on the car. A nearby trucker heard the conversation from over a thousand miles away and stopped to render aid. Nothing short of a miracle in my opinion. Even though CB has largely faded from popularity it is still the mainstay of mobile communications and employed by none other than the PGR.
Our hero is survived by his wife Patty, four daughters: Lauren, Andrea, Christine, and Valerie and six grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his son James George Sneed.
Though this mission initially was called to be a FLO initially I asked the family if we may accompany our hero from either the family home or the cremation site. This with the families approval. The family has been burdened in many ways with this event and maybe they, and our hero, can be cheered by the special blessings only the PGR can do. PGR members may assemble at Sunset Hills if they desire.
The cremated remains of our hero will be interred into the Tree of Life inside the chapel which also contain the ashes of his son James Jr who died almost one year ago.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. For those interested, and all are welcome, we will be accompanying the hero and his family from the church to his final resting place. Please see the time table if you would like to participate. For those who would rather go directly to the cemetery, we will meet you there. Please be in place at the chapel Not Later Than 1015 hrs.
If you plan to be part of this mission PLEASE return to this announcement to see if any changes has developed. Plan A, FLO, will be at the Sunset Hills Memorial Park 24000 Waalew Rd, Apple Valley, CA, 92308.
TIMETABLE FOR THURSDAY, 27 APRIL 2017:0930 Assemble at Victorville Memorial Park 15609 11th St, Victorville, CA 92395
https://goo.gl/maps/TqNqPxwfdaM20945 Briefing
1000 Accompany family to Sunset Hills Memorial Park 24000 Waalew Rd, Apple Valley, CA 92307
https://goo.gl/maps/y85cQmFNgdJ2
1030 Assemble at Sunset Hills Memorial Park, Flag Line as the hero is brought into the chapel.
1100 Services for James Quinon Sneed USN
R/C Brian Zane (Spyderman)SoCal PGR Ride Captain
Cell 760-953-9915
brianzane.bz@gmail.comYou do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. Everyone is welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
