Post date: Nov 23, 2008 2:06:45 AM
GROVE, Okla. — James Jefferson Snipes, M.D., of Grove, formerly of Jonesboro, Iota Theta No. 99, passed away peacefully at his daughter’s home Nov. 3, 2008.
Affectionately known as Doc, Jim, Jimmy, Pops and Grandad, Dr. Snipes was a loving and committed father, grandfather and friend to many, and he will be deeply missed. A gentle soul, he touched the lives of everyone he met and left a lasting impression on their hearts and minds.
Dr. Snipes was known throughout Tulsa, Grove and the surrounding communities as a compassionate and gifted physician. He channeled his unique intellectual insight and a boundless love for others into innumerous acts of healing throughout his life. His passionate advocacy of education, prevention and alternative medicine was years ahead of its time.
He was born in Cape Girardeau, Mo., on May 24, 1940. He attended Arkansas State University on a marching band scholarship and was a member of the Lambda Chi Fraternity. Dr. Snipes earned master of medicine and doctor of medicine degrees at the University of Arkansas, graduating in 1968. He pursued his internship and residency in Tulsa at St. John Medical Center.
Dr. Snipes worked as an internist in private practice in Tulsa for 28 years and on the staff at St. John Medical Center, St. Francis Hospital and Hillcrest Medical Center. He served as the president of the Tulsa Internists Society for two years, was a member of several other national, state, and local medical societies, and was a clinical associate professor at the OU School of Medicine in Tulsa. Dr. Snipes also spent considerable time and effort bringing medical care to Native American and rural communities in Oklahoma.
Dr. Snipes was a member of Boston Avenue United Methodist Church, where he served on the Board of Directors, and a licensed pilot and member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Following his career in Tulsa, Dr. Snipes retired into part-time private practice and consulting in Grove, where he had made his home on Grand Lake for the past seven years.
Dr. Snipes had a love for flying, boating, hunting, fishing, spoiling his children and grandchildren, and feeding peanut M&Ms to his dog Charlie.
Dr. Snipes was preceded in death by: his parents, Bud and Mary Snipes, and son-in-law, Don King Jr. He is survived by: his son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Sally Snipes, of Ross, Calif.; his daughter and son-in-law, Laura and Jay Reed of Piedmont, Okla.; his daughter and son-in-law, Katie and Frank Hertz of Ipswich, Mass.; and 10 grandchildren: Jaxon, Jafer and Layla Snipes, Callie and Kyle King, Abigail and Frances Hertz, Caleb and Emily Reed, and Tyler Tate. Dr. Snipes is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Nancy and Andy Morris of Austin, Texas, and their children, Mark, Kelly and Brian, along with many other cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews who loved him dearly.
In lieu of flowers and in honor of Dr. Snipes’ love of music, donations may be made in his memory to the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, or by calling (818) 784-6787.