Dr. Theron Gerald Snider III

Dr. Theron Gerald (“Dr. Ron”) Snider III, age 77, passed away February 9, 2025, at Willson Hospice House in Albany, Georgia. Dr. Ron was born, December 16, 1947, in Denton, Texas, to Theron Gerald Snider, Jr. and Margaret Selby Snider. Dr. Ron graduated from Denton High School in 1966, then went on to receive his Bachelor of Science in 1970, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1971, and his PhD in Veterinary Pathology in 1978 – all from Texas A&M University. He was board certified by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists in 1981 and taught as a full professor at the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine for 25 years. He retired in 2002 as Professor Emeritus. Over his career, he published numerous peer-reviewed manuscripts and became a global expert in bovine immunodeficiency virus. Dr. Ron was a beloved professor at LSU, often playing pranks on students at exam time and dressing up elaborately for Halloween. Dr. Ron raised five kids with his former wife, Katherine, while in Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas, with a short family sabbatical to the Moredun Research Institute in Edinburgh, Scotland. Dr. Ron moved to Albany, Georgia in 2008 after reconnecting with his college sweetheart, Marianela. They married in 2009 and were grateful for the love they shared over many wonderful years together. In Albany, Dr. Ron was involved with St. Teresa’s Catholic Church, helping with activities for the Hispanic community. He adored his three Scottish terriers, Chapas VI, Oscar, and Max, and his cat Gabi. Together, Marianela and Ron were an incredibly generous couple, always opening their home to others. Dr. Ron loved to get anyone around him to laugh. He was a lifelong philatelist and had an expansive international stamp collection. He loved gardening, walking around picking up trash and loose change, sending odd gifts to his grandchildren, keeping detailed notes about anything and everything, the Hallmark Channel, coffee, mustard, and sharing his wealth of knowledge on scientific topics. Dr. Ron was also driven to share his life experiences with others to help them grow; many who knew him could finish the sentence, “Dr. Ron taught me how to…” examples being: drive a stick shift, grow an eggplant, find the best grocery deals, prune bushes, cook pokeweed, find the prime spot for a Mardi Gras parade, and learn English. He is survived by his loving wife, Marianela; daughters Melissa Kay, Dr. Natalie Louise, and Rebekah Lauren; sons Theron Gerald IV “Jerry” (and daughter-in-law Jenny) and Loren Mikel Charles “Lee”; grandchildren Hope, Juliet, Abigail, Levi, Tai, and Alden; and siblings Enid, Sherrill, Tim, and Tony; brothers-in-law Gustavo, Ricardo, and Manuel and sister-in-law Thelma and her husband Juan Pedro. Loved by his nieces and nephews including Monica and Lynette; Tia RosaMaria, Nega, Tio Felipe and the rest of the family and friends; dear friends Miguel Angel Rodriguez and Lina Ramirez and their son Sebastian; Andres Prias and Natalia Rodriguez and their daughters Juanita, Sara, and Lucia; Ericka and Lapo Recendez; Jon, Joanna, and Eloise Gurr; Mauricio Resendez; Gregg Drummer; Sharon Hart; and his godchildren Kate and Evan. He is preceded in death by his parents and grandparents, his brother Randy, and his dear Aunt Naomi. The family extends appreciation for Dr. Ron’s physicians: Dr. Michael Satchell, Dr. Cristina Kyle, Dr. Marla Morgan-Black, Dr. Denton Hardie, Dr. Kimberly Brown, Dr. David Wren and caring staff. Special appreciation to the Phoebe North Inpatient Rehabilitation staff and the Phoebe Putney Memorial ER staff including Dr. Black, the Trauma Team, the Surgical ICU staff and Dr. Aeden McDonough. The family also appreciates Dr. Whatley and Dr. Love at Bush Animal Clinic. Last but certainly not least, the family extends gratitude to Father Ray at St. Teresa’s Catholic Church, who has been an irreplaceable spiritual guide to Dr. Ron for many, many years. Funeral Services will be held February 15, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Teresa’s Catholic Church with interment to follow.