It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our loved one, Edward Rice Sneed, Jr., on August 10, 2020.  A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, August 14, at 1:30 p.m. in the chapel of Neal-Tarpley-Parchman with Rev. Harriet Bryan officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until the hour of the service. Due to COVID-19, the family requests that those attending the visitation and service wear masks. Interment will be at the Greenwood Cemetery.

Ed was born September 11, 1945, in Lewisburg, TN to Margaret Evans Sneed who was staying with her parents while Ed’s father, Edward Rice Sneed, Sr. served in the army during World War II. The family moved to Clarksville at the end of the war, and Ed has been a resident of the city he loved ever since.

He was educated in Clarksville Montgomery County Schools. Ed was a talented athlete and a fierce competitor in baseball and football. He played both offensive and defensive positions on the Clarksville High School football team and earned the nickname “Ed Speed.”

Ed attended college for two years at the then Southwestern University, now Rhodes, in Memphis, TN. He finished his college career at Austin Peay State University where he was a member of the baseball team. Ed earned his BS in History with a minor in Economics followed by a Master’s Degree plus forty-five hours.

After graduation, Ed began a nine-year teaching career at Clarksville High School where he taught World and American History. While there, he also coached football, baseball, and golf. The CHS golf team went on to earn the state championship in 1974. Ed also taught Civics and Economics at Fort Campbell and Current Political Problems as an adjunct professor in the Political Science Department at APSU.

Ed’s father had instilled a knowledge of the stock market in Ed, and he began investing as a child. Whatever money he earned and wanted to invest, his father would match. Thus, a keen knowledge of and interest in the stock market led to a career change that spanned thirty-eight years in financial services, first as a Limited Investment Partner at J.C. Bradford then at Prime South Investments for a short time.  Finally, he was co-owner and Senior Partner in the office of Raymond James Financial Services.

Ed was highly regarded in the business by both colleagues and clients. His honesty and integrity earned him high marks and the trust of his investors. Ed’s legacy lives on in the many highly regarded financial advisors who were hired by Ed and were fortunate to benefit from his knowledge of investment and high ethical standards. Many credit him with their first successful steps in business.

Quoting from a letter Ed received shortly before his death, “You are one of a kind, and I am blessed to have worked with such an intelligent and caring man. You taught me about the importance of a relentless burning desire to take care of those that depend on us and to put honesty and integrity above all else.”

Ed enjoyed high school area sports and supported the Fellowship of Christian Athletes which emphasized character building and Christian values. When professional sports came to Nashville, he was thrilled. Titans’ games became standard fare for Sunday afternoon entertainment.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Margaret Sneed, and infant son, John Parker. Ed is survived by his daughter, McClain Gold (Steve), grandchildren, Kayla and Luke Wills, brother, John Sneed (Nancy), sister, Beverly Busteed (Bill), and numerous nieces and nephews.

The Big Fish Golf Tournament was established by Ed in honor of Mickey Fisher, a beloved and respected teacher, and golfer in Clarksville. Mickey had played on the CHS golf team of which Ed was coach, and Mickey had always been a favorite. When Mickey died unexpectedly, Ed started plans to honor him with a sport he loved: golf. All proceeds from the golf tournament go into The Mickey Fisher Memorial Scholarship Fund which assists children of a parent actively serving in or retired from the military with financing to attend Austin Peay State University, Mickey’s alma mater. The tournament has grown each year and is held on the first weekend following July 4th.

Ed requested prior to his imminent death that any memorials for him be made to:

The Mickey Fisher Memorial Scholarship Fund
University Advancement Office
P.O. Box 4417
Clarksville, TN 37044.

Gifts may also be made online at givetoapsu.com. Please designate gifts for the “Mickey Fisher Memorial Scholarship Fund.”

Gifts in Ed’s memory may also be made to AsceraCare Hospice Foundation:

Debbie Morris
c/o Landmark CPAs
P O Box 10148
Fort Smith, AR 72917

The family wishes to thank AsceraCare Hospice for the compassionate, expert care Ed received from them during his last days. Also, a warm thank you to caregivers from Senior Helpers who provided care throughout his illness. To his special companion, Sheila—Thank you for the love, fun, and companionship which brought such joy to his life.