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Snow, former Bush spokesman, dies at 53

Long career in politics, news included stint at The Times

By Jon Ward, THE WASHINGTON TIMES | Sunday, July 13, 2008

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Visit Potus Notes to read Jon Ward's blog entry, July 12.

Read commentary on Tony Snow's impact on The Washington Times newsroom from the perspective of editor-at-large Arnaud de Borchgrave at the Voices home page.

Tony Snow, the former Bush White House press secretary known for his wit and agility at the podium, who inspired others by facing cancer with hope and optimism, died early Saturday at Georgetown University Hospital. He was 53.

Mr. Snow, a former editorial page editor for The Washington Times, is survived by his wife, Jill Ellen Walker, and their three children.

He was mourned and remembered Saturday by President Bush and his former colleagues at the White House, by those at Fox News, where he worked as a TV and radio show host for 10 years, and by many others from across the political spectrum.

Mr. Snow had a long career in news and politics, starting out as an editorial writer and eventually running or helping run several newspaper editorial pages, before becoming a nationally syndicated radio talk show host and Fox News star.

He also was known as a devoted husband and father. He loved music, playing flute, saxophone and guitar in a local band called Beats Workin'.

"Laura and I are deeply saddened by the death of our dear friend, Tony Snow. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Jill, and their children, Kendall, Robbie and Kristi," Mr. Bush said.

"The Snow family has lost a beloved husband and father. And America has lost a devoted public servant and a man of character," he said.

Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes called Mr. Snow's death "a tremendous loss for us who knew him, but it's also a loss for the country."