Col. John "Duke" Snider

Col. John "Duke" Snider, 71, of Manassas, VA, passed away peacefully on June 28, 2024. John was born on January 12, 1953, in Oxford, Ohio, to John W. and Geneva P. Snider. Growing up in Oxford, he played baseball, football, and joined the Boy Scouts, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. He met the love of his life, Mary Peck, at the age of 8 when she moved in next door. They began dating in high school and married in December 1973. John attended Duke University in 1971, studying Political Science and pledged to the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He joined Duke’s Air Force ROTC, and upon graduation, waited 15 months to go on active duty at Craig Air Force Base in Alabama. During his distinguished military career, John served as an Air Force fighter pilot, achieving the rank of Colonel and the rating of Command Pilot. During his first assignment in England, John and Mary welcomed their son, Wesley J. Snider, in 1979. He flew multiple aircraft, including the RF-4C, F-111F, F-15C/E, and F-117. John was a Fighter Weapons School Instructor and the 48th Operations Support Squadron Commander. While serving as the 49th Operations Group Commander, he flew combat missions for the F-117 during Operation Allied Force. On his third tour to RAF Lakenheath, as the Vice Wing Commander, he discovered that the F-15 pilots were still using the low-level training routes he developed while flying F-111s in the early 1980s. John concluded his 30 years of service as the Inspector General for U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) Headquarters, Ramstein, Germany. In 2006, John retired and settled in Gordonsville, VA, before moving to Manassas in 2015. In Manassas, John joined the Manassas Men’s Club and served as president for a few years. He continued his service to the community when he was selected as the Chairman of the Manassas City Board of Elections in 2016, where he took pride in ensuring every resident had the ability to vote. He later joined the Manassas City Airport Board and championed the expansion of the airport to provide commercial flights. John was known for his kindness, intelligence, generosity, and service-oriented nature. He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary P. Snider; his son, Wesley J. Snider; and his daughter-in-law, Melissa L. Snider. A celebration of life ceremony will be held on July 20, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center St, Manassas, VA 20110. A reception will follow. John "Duke" Snider will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to his family, his country, and his community. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. The family requests that guests share their favorite memories and stories at this celebration. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Air Force Aid Society at https://afas.org/.

Col. John "Duke" Snider

January 12, 1953 - June 28, 2024