CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WINA) – Duane Snow, 77, a former Albemarle Supervisor and WINA radio host, died surrounded by his wife and children after a five-year battle with cancer on Sep 3, 2022. A devout Mormon who made multiple mission trips, he also successfully ran the multigenerational family business that bore his name before retiring and selling it to his son, Corbin, in 2003.

Owning Snow’s Garden Center gave him a wealth of gardening information that he shared on SnowKnows, a gardening show that ran for more than two decades.

He learned he had prostate cancer in 2017.

“When he found out he had about a month left, that everything was coming to an end, he set three goals,” according to his son, Corbin Snow. “One of his goals was to make it the full month to his wedding anniversary, which he did.”

Duane Snow and his wife, Rena, were married for 55 years. He will be laid to rest on Saturday, September, 10th. Full information is found in the obituary below.

 

Duane Edson Snow

Duane Edson Snow passed away peacefully on September 3rd, 2022 in his home in Ivy Virginia surrounded by his sweetheart and his children. Duane was a loving husband and an amazing father to 5 children and grandfather to 18 grandchildren. He positively endured an over 5 year journey with cancer. He was born in Charlottesville, VA on December 15th 1944 to Leroy White Snow and Viola Dean Snow.

Duane graduated from Rock Hill Academy, class of 1963. He attended Brigham Young
University, where Duane earned his BS degree in Business and Advertising. He served in the  Northwest States Mission, for The Church Of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints After returning home from his mission, Duane married the love of his life, Rowena (Rena) Millett in the Salt Lake City Temple, where they were sealed for time and all eternity. They just celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary this past week.

Duane led an exemplary life in every way! His joy was helping and serving others. He served in the following areas for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; Full-time missionary to Northwestern States Mission (Oregon, Washington, and Idaho) 1964-1966, first Bishop of the Charlottesville 2nd ward from 1982 – 1986, first Bishop of the Chalottesville Singles Ward from 2004-2007. Served the following full-time missions with his wife, Rena; Olongapo, Philippines Mission ( 2007-2009), Addiction Recovery Missionaries (2010-2014), Boston Massachusetts Mission (2015-2017), Virginia Richmond Service Mission Leaders (2019-July 2022). Duane served as a counselor in both the Olongapo, Philippines Mission Presidency (2007-2009) and
the Richmond Virginia Mission Presidency (2017-2019). Duane also served his community in the following elected and appointed offices; Albemarle County Board of Supervisors (2010-2014), VA Board of Agriculture, appointed by Governor George Allen for two terms, Albemarle County Architectural Review Board (2000-2004), Duane was an active member of the Charlottesville Rotary Club and past President in 2006. Host of the SnowKnows Radio garden show and Owner of Snow’s Garden Center (1975-2003).

Duane lived his life with the purpose to be of service to those he came in contact with and help others feel the love of their Savior, Jesus Christ. He loved his grandchildren and took them on many “cousin” trips. He attended countless sporting events, performances, activities, and ceremonies for his grandchildren. He ensured his family was united at the beach for a week every summer. This was the highlight of the year! Duane and Rena enjoyed working side by side with each other, this was evident in the many missions they served together since his retirement from Snow’s Garden Center in 2003. They truly had a love that few people ever experience and only hope to find. Duane touched the hearts of all he came in contact with and made everyone feel like they were his favorite. He was quick to forgive others and a true disciple of Jesus Christ.Duane is preceded in death by his parents, Leroy and Viola Snow of  Charlottesville.

He is survived by his wife, Rena Snow and their children; April Chandler and her husband, Steve. Jill Arterburn and her husband, Brent. Corbin Snow and his wife, Jill. Jonas Snow. Emily Sheets and her husband, Ashton, and daughter in-law Jill Densmore Snow; 18 grandchildren, Trevor Chandler and his wife Claire, Spencer Chandler, Haden Chandler, Cooper Chandler, Jake Arterburn, Cory Arterburn, Marni Bianchi, Malea Bianchi, Madison Snow, Dallas Snow, Lincoln Snow, Georgia Snow, Brandon Densmore and his wife Ivy, Hanna Snow, Megan Snow, Nathan
Snow, Elliott Sheets, and Magnolia Sheets; Two sisters, Joyce Daniels, and Yvonne Bush and one brother, Robert Snow; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 2pm on Saturday, September, 10th, at The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1275 Timberwood Blvd., Charlottesville, VA 22911. There will be a reception immediately following the service.

Thank you to all the healthcare providers for the care given to Duane.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to https://philanthropies.churchofjesuschrist.org (click on Humanitarian Aid)
Zoom link for Memorial Service https://zoom.us/j/97497049707

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