DON SNEED Obituary: Terrebonne Parish, La. Submitted by: Louis Lavedan Source: Houma Courier, Houma, Terrebonne Parish, La. 11 Nov 2005 ================================================== ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** ================================================== NOTES: 1. The date preceding the obituary is the date of posting on the WWW, not the date of death. ============================= November 03. 2005 12:56PM REMEMBERING: Don Sneed Journalism professor, former Courier reporter died Sunday By AL DELAHAYE For The Courier THIBODAUX -- Don Sneed, who more than three decades ago reported for The Courier and taught biology at Vandebilt Catholic High School, died Sunday of a heart attack at his home in Plantation, Fla. He was 60. Major publications reported in detail the life and career of the Florida International University professor of journalism. According to Editor & Publisher, "Students and colleagues alike remember Sneed as an inventive, hands- on teacher who paired 'nuts-and-bolts' instruction with constant guidance and encouragement." The Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Sun-Sentinel referred to him as a "beloved professor" and quoted a student as having said he was "an inspiration" and a big-hearted man concerned about his students. Sneed started his journalism career working for The Courier as a part-time reporter, said former Courier Publisher Ray Dill. "He was a highly talented and dedicated journalist, who excelled at seeking out and writing compelling feature stories for us," Dill said. Joey Kennedy, who once worked with Sneed at The Courier, credited Sneed with being directly responsible for his successful career, which includes a 1991 Pulitzer Prize Kennedy won for editorial writing. As executive editor of the Cullman (Ala.) Times, Sneed hired Kennedy in 1977 and saw him go on to the Birmingham News where he is today an editorial page writer. Donald Gleaves Sneed was born Nov. 2, 1944, in Little Rock, Ark. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from LSU in 1966, a master's degree in journalism from Penn State in 1981 and his doctorate in journalism from Southern Illinois University in 1984. He taught journalism at Texas A&M, San Diego State and then chaired the department at the University of Mississippi. He joined the Florida International University faculty in 1996 and was department chairman until 1999 when he returned to full-time teaching. He spent his summers working for newspapers as a writing coach or as a copy editor. He also wrote for law journals and scholarly publications and produced short films about journalism. He is survived by his wife, two daughters and other family members. A memorial service will be held today in Miami. The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Jones Funeral Home, 104 Cypress St., Richton, Miss., just east of Hattiesburg, Miss.