Tribute to Tony Snow

I first started reading columns by Tony Snow in the very late eighties, and first heard him when he filled in for Rush Limbaugh in the early nineties. He, along with Rush Limbaugh and a few others were very important to me as I learned more about Conservative principles, and how to articulate them. How Tony Snow was able, with humor and genuine happiness, deflect the harshest criticism, lies, and attacks. I watched him as he launched Fox News Sunday, and built that into a success. He was an excellent talk radio host, newspaperman, TV anchor, writer. He was a man of God, of profound faith, and displayed that too with humor and grace, something all of we Christians should take note of. Humor and grace and love, walking the talk, will lead more people to Christ than Bible spouting and condemnation of those that don't have our belief. I don't, of course, know much about his family life; all reports though, from his detractors to his supporters, said he put faith and family first. Always.
Tony Snow was also an avid musician. He played the trombone, flute, piccolo, accordion and guitar, and belonged to a cover band, Beats Workin', a really cool name for a band. He even got to play with Ian Anderson of "Jethro Tull". He had said the it was because of Anderson that he picked up the flute. Sometimes we lose a public figure, and I feel a personal loss. Tony Snow has been an influence in my life for nearly twenty years, and I will miss reading, watching and listening to him. My prayers for his family especially, and everyone that will miss this extraordinary man. RIP