Gary E. Snorgrass

Gary E. Snorgrass, passed away peacefully in hospice care on May 31, 2025. Gary was born in Phoenix on February 24, 1944 and grew up in Phoenix and Scottsdale. Gary’s career was spent as an engineer at Motorola for 27 years where he developed and assembled key electronic packages. He was highly talented and sought out by his colleagues and customers for his opinion on many things outside his direct responsibilities. He was highly regarded by all that knew him especially by his direct reports. He enjoyed many sports, such as racquetball, softball where he was a very accomplished pitcher, and his number one love golf which he would watch on TV in the last few years when he was no longer able to play. 

In his younger days Gary loved to drive race cars and speed boats. He ran his car at Beeline Dragway many times and drove his friend’s speed boat so fast it scared the passengers on board. Gary loved cars. He had several that he worked on but the biggest was when he and his friend rebuilt a 1957 Chevy from the frame up. It was his pride and joy and he won several awards at car shows. Gary was able to do pretty much anything laying tile, hanging lights, growing beautiful roses and plants, welding and building gates of all sizes for his home as well as those of many friends. He was a man of many talents but remained humble about them all but was willing to teach anyone anything he knew. 

Gary’s first line of study, before the Army, was Architecture. He could draw anything and kept that love all his life. During his years in the Army Gary attended the US Army Aviation School where he learned to maintain aircraft. He received a letter of commendation because he was number one in his class. Gary spoke of this time in the Army often and he enjoyed it so much his course of study after the Army was Aeronautical Engineering. 

Gary is known as a man who would help anyone anytime and he was loved by all. Gary is preceded in death by his father James, his mother Sue and his sister Susie. Gary is survived by a niece Katie (Mark), 3 great – nieces Kaylie, Cassie, Alyssa, a cousin Woodrow (Woody) Lewis (Nancy) as well as by many close friends, some that he had known for decades, some newer, that he loved very much and considered all of them as family. Gary will be missed by all who knew and loved him.