James Edward Snight, Sr.

Born at home in Washington, DC on August 21, 1930, James (“Peanut”) Snight passed away peacefully at his home in Annapolis, MD on July 21, 2026 at the age of 95.

He is lovingly missed by his wife of almost 71 years, Marilyn Joan Snight (nee Miller); his children, James Jr., Susan Moreland (Richard), and William (Julianne); his six grandchildren; his seven great-grandchildren; and his nephews and nieces as well as family friends and neighbors.

Jim often said that his greatest heartbreak was losing his son, Eugene, in 1977. He was also predeceased in death by his parents, John and Susan Snight; and his siblings Eldridge, Lorraine, Mary Violet and John.

A life-long resident of DC and MD, Jim attended Gonzaga High School before graduating from Anacostia High School. He took night classes at George Washington University and the University of Maryland for 13 and ½ years and graduated from Maryland’s University College in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in general sciences.

In his youth, Jim excelled in baseball (2 years at Anacostia High School and recognized as 2nd Team All-High; Ft. Dupont American Legion; City Champions in 1949; and scouted by the Pittsburgh Pirates), basketball (2 years at Anacostia High School) and boxing (two-time Jr. Golden Gloves Champion; Intra-Mural Champion at Gonzaga High School and offered a 4-year full scholarship to Georgetown University). He also played baseball, football and basketball for the Boy’s Club of Washington and was inducted into their hall of fame in 1949. The Jock’s Reunion Hall of Fame inducted him as a member in 2005 and presented him with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013.

Jim was an avid golfer. He and Marilyn took lessons and started playing at Andrews AFB in 1975 before joining the U.S. Naval Academy Golf Course in 1987. They served many years as golf course raters for the Maryland State Golf Association.

Jim enlisted in the D.C. Air National Guard as a private in 1948. He served 10 years in the enlisted ranks, attaining the rank of Master Sergeant, E-7. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1958, retiring as a Full Colonel (O-6) in 1985 after more than 20 years of active service and a combined military service of almost 37 years in the DC Air National Guard and United States Air Force. Among his assignments, Jim served as Chief of the Air Technician Branch at HQ USAF with the National Guard Bureau; Air National Guard Advisor at HQ USAF to the Director of Programs & Manpower; Special Assistant to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Reserve Affairs); Staff Director to the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Reserve Affairs); Special Assistant to the Commanding General, D.C. National Guard; and Deputy Commander, Air National Guard Support Center at Andrews AFB. Among his many awards, Jim received the Department of Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (2 awards), Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), the Air Force Commendation Medal, the National Guard Bureau’s Eagle Award, the Dedicated Service Award from the 113th Fighter Wing, the Minute Man Award from the DC National Guard, the National Defense Service Medal, the Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal.

A life-long Catholic, Jim was a parishioner at Holy Comforter, St. Theresa of Avila and St. Francis Xavier in DC, as well as Holy Family (Hillcrest Heights), St. John the Evangelist (Clinton), Sacred Heart (Bowie), and St. John Neumann (Annapolis) in Maryland.

Having lived a faithful and full life, Jim leaves behind a legacy of devotion to God, family and country. He lives on in the hearts of all of us touched by his love and care.