Ted L. Snider Sr.

Ted L. Snider Sr., BA ’49, MA ’50, died Jan. 14 at his home in Little Rock, AR. He had battled Parkinson’s disease in recent years and had celebrated his 96th birthday in December.

Snider was born in Rockwood, TX, to Julia Emma Hull and Andy Jasper Snider. He graduated from Paschal High School in Fort Worth and then attended Baylor from 1946-50, where he met his wife, Jane. The two were married for 66 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, Snider joined college friends Jarrell McCracken and Henry SoRelle 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 45 years as a broadcaster. While he worked in California, New Mexico, Minnesota and Texas, he spent the majority of his career in Arkansas broadcasting.

Snider 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 1970s 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 and 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, Craig 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 and the Salvation Army.

Snider was awarded the National Radio Award from the National Association of Broadcasters in 1988, the W. R. White Meritorious Service Award from Baylor in 1983, the Medallion Fellowship — James Huckins in 2002 and the Baylor Broadcaster of Distinction in 1969.

Faith, family and service to others defined Snider. He consistently lived his life as a devoted man of God and maintained these three tenets as the guideposts of his life. He led an exemplary life as a husband, father and mentor. He left the world a better place than he found it.