Michael Anthony Snowden

“Just Keep Living” 

After years of health struggles, Michael passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Monday, March 17, 2025.

 Known to many as Snow, Snowman or Snowy, Michael led a full life of love and dedication to his friends and family. Michael was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania and grew up in Kennett Square. Pennsylvania. Proud of being from the Mushroom Capital of the World, Michael always told stories of his life back on the East Coast.

 Michael was the oldest of his siblings and cousins. He loved his brothers and sisters and would chat with them whenever possible. He loved his aunts and all his cousins. Although they all lived in different places, his friends knew his family because he always talked about them in conversations. 

Michael was a proud US Veteran. He served in the US Army at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio and Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Texas. He was an Orthopedic Technician and continued to practice in orthopedics in Austin, Texas at South Austin Medical Center, The University of Texas Sports Medicine and Texas Sports and Family Medicine. He always supported student-athletes and enjoyed his time working with the sports medicine community. After health struggles prevented his career in the medical field, Michael spent the last 8 years helping in the neighborhood at Baranoff Elementary where he looked forward to spending time helping the students in the community. 

While serving in El Paso at Ft. Bliss, he became part of who he referred to as his “Texas Family”. These were his Army buddies Martin Espinosa (Espo), Jeff Hand (Jeffro) and Timothy Jackson (Jack); in addition to the Murillo family whose mother, Sra. Murillo, would bring home enlisted soldiers for the holidays. Snow soon became part of their family through one of his best friends, Raquel, who he met at Ft. Bliss. He also had lifelong friends from the Army like Rusty who would always check-in on him over the years. Snow loved his friends from high school and enjoyed catching up with his Kennett Square Blue Demons, especially his childhood friends Paul Hunter and Steve Suter. He would constantly laugh with what Celina referred to as “Al Bundy Moments” reliving stories from playing basketball and soccer. He could go on and on reliving games with his friends.

 In 1992, Michael and Celina began their story together. They married in 2001 and welcomed Emma in 2004 and Jazmin in 2008. Michael loved his beautiful family and was always busy with the girl’s activities. Whether it was YMCA sports, South Austin Area Barracudas swim team, Bailey Band, Bowie Color Guard & Winter Guard, Bowie Band or St. Paul’s Catholic Church activities—you would always see Michael supporting the girls, in addition to supporting family and friends. He was always there to support Celina at her work events with The Neighborhood Longhorns Program. Michael formed deep friendships with colleagues, neighbors, fellow parents, Celina’s cousins and her friends from back home in SA. He valued the village of family friends formed throughout the years.

 Michael was an avid sports fan. He loved to talk smack with his friends about their teams (especially his Cowboys friends) and text/call friends during games. He cheered on the Bowie Bulldogs, loved the Texas Longhorns and his Penn State Nittany Lions, loved to watch EPL and his favorite Manchester United F.C. and, of course, his Philadelphia Eagles. He was always wearing his favorite team shirts, especially the recent Super Bowl Champions Eagles gear. He never missed a chance to rub it in when the Eagles would win and was singing Fly Eagles Fly with the recent Superbowl LIX Championship. 

Michael had a great personality and loved to laugh. He loved to watch his favorite King Kong movies, 80’s movies, Minions and military movies and shows. He would binge watch old TV sitcoms and enjoyed watching Young and the Restless with Celina. He enjoyed hanging out with family and friends and would watch every sport he could catch on TV. Michael loved his music, especially Tribe Called Quest, Loose Ends, LL Cool J, Anita Baker, Selena and Earth Wind & Fire. He enjoyed sitting outside and just listening to the birds in the trees. Michael loved to read a good novel and enjoyed reading newspapers from various cities/countries. 

Michael was preceded in death by his mother, Charlene Snowden; his step-mother, Gigi Wilson; and his brother in law, Mario Ruiz. He is survived by his wife, Celina; his daughters Emma and Jazmin; his father Theodore Wilson, his brothers James Snowden, Richard Snowden (Tiffany), and TJ Wilson; sisters: Nicole Scott and Keva Melvin (Bradford); and in-laws Miguel Ruiz (Cheryl); his nieces/nephews: Derrick, Aaron and Devin Snowden; Sheldon and Alynna Wilson; Christopher and Gabriel Scott; Braeden and Carson Melvin; Keith, EmJay (Jhane) and Adam Ruiz and many aunts, uncles, and cousins; in addition to many friends who he considered his brothers/sisters/nephews and nieces. Michael had a very supportive network of community friends who were all part of our familia. 

We appreciate all the prayers, love and support from everyone who was part of Michael’s life. We have been blessed with amazing friends and an army of community support. 

Michael Anthony Snowden will be truly missed. He was a good son, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin, a great friend, wonderful husband, and a loving father. He gets the last laugh as he passed away with the Eagles as Superbowl Champions and he passed on March 17th, knowing everyone was wearing green. He’s our Guardian Angel and May Eternal Light Shine Upon Him.

The Recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 10:30 am over at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church. The Funeral Mass will begin at 11 am. Following the mass, we will go in procession to Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, the interment service will begin with military honors at  1:15pm.