Tony Snow

Life Story

Tony Snow (06/01/55 - 07/12/08) was a syndicated columnist, conservative writer, commentator, TV anchor, radio show host, musician, and overall chameleon in all forms of media. He served as Director of Speechwriting and Deputy Assistant to the President for Media Affairs for Bush Sr. and succeeded Scott McClellan as the White House Press Secretary for the Bush Jr. Administration in 2006.

Snow was born in Berea, Kentucky but raised in Cincinnati. His father was a teacher and his mother a nurse who died of colon cancer when he was just 17 years old. Well-rounded Snow followed in his father’s footsteps as a substitute teacher in Cincinnati and then a physics and geography teacher in Kenya. He also was an advocate for the mentally ill and disabled in North Carolina as well as an editorial writer and host of FOX News Sunday for seven years.

As press secretary for Bush, Snow brought his conservative views and skills as a seasoned speaker to the task of explaining and defending the president's policies. He used his star qualities to challenge reporters and bring zest to his job. He served just 17 months as press secretary, a tenure interrupted by his diagnosis of cancer. Snow later resigned as Bush's chief spokesman not because of his health but his desire to earn more than the $168,000 a year he was being paid. He later joined CNN as a political commentator where he criticized the decisions of the Bush administration.

Fellow friends described Snow as a “Renaissance” man. He was an avid musician and played six instruments — saxophone, trombone, flute, piccolo, accordion and guitar — and was in a D.C. cover band called Beats Workin'. He was also a film buff.

Snow lost his battle to colon cancer just as his mother did 36 years ago. He leaves behind a wife of 21 years, Jill Ellen Walker; a son, and two daughters.