Thomas Randall Snow, better known as Randy Snow, 50, of Terrell, died of a heart attack Nov. 19 in El Salvador, leaving a legacy of service and accomplishments that few could ever dream of attaining.
The son of Alison Norton and Tom Snow, Randy was born in Austin on May 24, 1959. He graduated from Terrell High School in 1977. He grew up in a large family, who shared two loves — the University ofTexas and tennis.
In 1975, at the age of 16, Randy was a nationally ranked tennis player with dreams of becoming a professional. That same year, he was injured in a farming accident, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down.
Randy then enrolled at his father’s alma mater, the University of Texas at Austin, where he was introduced to wheelchair basketball. He also became a member of the Texas Lone Stars, a wheelchair track team.
Snow transferred to the University of Texas at Arlington where he became a part of the university’s nationally known wheelchair sports program and resumed his tennis career. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration in 1986.
Snow went on to excel in basketball, track and tennis, becoming the only athlete in history to compete in three different summer Paralympic Games in three different sports and win medals in each sport. He also won 16 U.S. Tennis Open titles — six in singles and 10 in doubles.
Snow devoted more than 20 years to a career with Sunrise Medical, a medical supply company that grew from $2 million to $4 million in just more than two years.
He also worked as a recreational therapist, sharing his recipe for rehabilitation and success.
In 1999, Snow launched his own company, NOXQs, an achievement company where he quickly gained recognition as a nationally sought-after Fortune 500 speaker and travelled to all corners of the globe. In addition to his speaking career, Snow also was an award-winning author.
He conducted numerous tennis camps for wheelchair athletes, especially for children in impoverished countries where he believed he could make the most difference.
Recently, Snow proudly achieved his Master’s degree in Psychology, with plans to become a college professor.
Ever the athlete, Snow enjoyed snow-skiing, skydiving, scuba diving and visiting his beach condo. In recent years, he developed a passion for golf and spent much of his leisure time trying to perfect the game.
When he was not working, Snow enjoyed trips on his handcycle, taking his boat to the lake, going to the beach, spending time with his dogs and hosting gatherings for family and friends at his home.
His accomplishments have graced the pages of USA Today, Southern Living, Paraplegia News, Sports ‘n Spokes, Los Angeles Times and dozens of other newspapers and periodicals. He also had been a featured guest on CNN and ESPN.
Snow’s achievements have earned him accolades from Presidents Ford, Reagan, Bush and Clinton, including the honor of accepting the torch from Clinton to launch a 10-day, 10-mile journey fromWashington, D.C. to Atlanta in 1996 to kick off the Paralympic Games. He also has a road named in his honor, Randy Snow Road, in Arlington.
Awards and recognition include Outstanding Male Athlete-National Wheelchair Games (1983, 1986), Jack Gerhardt Athlete of the Year (The Heisman Trophy of Wheelchair Sports-1989), World Champion of Wheelchair Men’s Singles Tennis-International Tennis Federation (1991), The United States Tennis Association Community Service Award (1993), President’s Council on Physical Fitness (1993), the Boys Club of New York Hall of Fame, National Council on Disability-Outstanding Disabled Citizen (1994), Great Sports Legend of the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis (1995), Terrell High School Tiger Hall of Fame (1995), Texas Tennis Hall of Fame (2001), Outstanding Citizen Award, the Olympic Hall of Fame (2004), National Spinal Cord Injury National Hall of Fame (2005), Southwestern Christian College Pillar of the Community (2006). Snow also served on accessibility committees for numerous facilities, the most recent being the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.
He was a member of the National Speakers Association and president of the Friends of the Hulsey Public Library and served as national advisor to Turning POINT.
He is survived by his parents, Alison and Tom Norton of Heath and Tom and Rose Snow of Terrell; sisters Jenny Sperry, Molly Akin, Lee Gunder and their families; stepsister Liz Morrison and her family; stepbrother Brad Wesson and his family; many adoring nephews and nieces, who referred to him affectionately as ‘Uncle Randy,’ and hundreds of friends and colleagues across the globe. He was preceded in death by his sister, Becca Snow Rangel.
A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 5 at the Terrell ISD Performing Arts Center, 400 Poetry Rd. Services are under the direction of Anderson-Clayton Bros. Funeral Home.
Charitable donations may be made in Randy’s memory to the philanthrophies listed on his Web site, www.randysnow.com, or a charity of your choice.
