Ted Lowell Snider

Ted Lowell Snider

December 16, 1928 - January 14, 2025 Ted Lowell Snider, Sr. of Little Rock passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at his home in Little Rock with his family beside him. He had battled Parkinson’s Disease in recent years and had celebrated his 96th birthday in December.

He was born in Rockwood, Texas to Julia Emma Hull and Andy Jasper Snider. He graduated from Paschal High School in Ft. Worth and then attended Baylor University from 1946-1950 where he earned a B.A. in Broadcasting and a Masters Degree in Speech.

He met his wife, Jane, at Baylor when they both worked in the dining hall—he as a bus boy and she as a supervisor. They were married for sixty-six years before she passed away in 2016.

From 1950-52 he served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War. Following his release he joined the Naval Reserve where he retired as a Captain after 30 years of service.

In 1952 he joined his college roommate to start Word Records, Inc., which ultimately grew to be a worldwide leader in Christian Contemporary Music. Two years later he went into broadcasting full-time and spent the next forty-five years as a broadcaster. He did on-air work on both radio and TV and then moved into management and ownership. While he worked in California, New Mexico, Minnesota and Texas, he spent the majority of his career in Arkansas broadcasting.

He developed a passion for radio broadcasting at an early age. As a boy he would stand on tree stumps near his home in rural Texas and practice his “radio voice” to the cattle in the field. He shared this passion in his adult life by mentoring many people including his nephews Cal Arnold and Nick Clark.

He moved to Little Rock in 1966 to manage KARK AM and FM for Mullins Broadcasting. In 1972 he bought the two radio stations renaming them KARN (AM) and KKYK (FM). He started the Arkansas Radio Network (ARN), the Arkansas Agriculture Network and the Razorback Sports Network. During the 1970’s he acquired or started several other companies including Business Music of Arkansas (MUZAK), Public Bench Ads with operations in Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Texas, and Arizona, and International Travel Service. He was President of the Arkansas Broadcasters Association, Radio Board Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters and subsequently led the NAB as Radio/TV Joint Board Chairman. He retired in 1997.

In addition to his professional career Ted served his community selflessly on the Board of Trustees at Baptist Medical System, the Board of Regents at Baylor University (1994-2004), and the Board of Trustees at Parkway Village. He was President of the Rotary Club of Little Rock in 1977-78 as well as a Paul Harris Fellow. Through the years he also worked with the Chamber of Commerce, the YMCA, the United Fund, the Salvation Army among numerous others.

He was awarded many honors including the National Radio Award from the National Association of Broadcasters in 1988, the W. R. White Meritorious Service Award from

Baylor University in 1983, the Medallion Fellowship - James Huckins in 2002, and the Baylor Broadcaster of Distinction in 1969.

Ted taught a Sunday School Class at Pulaski Heights Baptist Church for over 46 years also serving as a Deacon in the church. He not only taught the class but was also a mentor and role model to the class members. He treasured these friendships.

Ted was preceded in death by his wife Jane. He is survived by his daughter Cathy Brewton (Bob) of Houston, Texas, and his son Ted L. Snider, Jr. (Christine), four grandchildren: Rory Brewton Bellow (Beau) of Houston, Texas, Casey Brewton Monda (Garrett) of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, Juliette Verville of Cabarete, Dominican Republic, and Parker Snider (Ilaria) of Milan, Italy, nine great grandchildren, a brother Ray D. Snider (Linda) of Ft. Worth, Texas, many nieces and nephews—and a legion of devoted friends.

Honorary Pall Bearers are Dennis Adkins, Charlie Benson, Jim Cox, Chuck Gardner, Keith Jones, Chuck Kelly, Lyndell Lay, Steve Sipes, Jerry Wardlaw and Sam Welch.

The family thanks Sara Gardner, Marie Baker, Dontesa Edmond, Martha Peña and Cassandra Smith for the love and care they showed for Ted in his final years. Their help was invaluable and they made his life brighter every day.

Faith, family and service to others defined Ted Snider. He consistently lived his life as a devoted man of God and maintained these three tenets as the guideposts of his life. All who knew him knew this about him. He was the same person whether he was at home, at church, at work or had just missed a putt for par. He led an exemplary life as a husband, father and mentor. He left the world a better place than he found it. And his smile warmed hearts and lit the room.

A service celebrating Ted’s life will be held on Monday, January 20, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Pulaski Heights Baptist Church in Little Rock (2200 Kavanaugh Boulevard, 72205) with a reception following in the church parlor. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to:

▪️Baylor Angel Network at Baylor University 

 Or donations may be mailed to Baylor University, One Bear Pl. #97050, Waco, TX 76798-7050, Memo line: “BAN.”

▪️Pulaski Heights Baptist Church, 2200 Kavanaugh Blvd, Little Rock, AR 72205

▪️Baptist Health System