Dale K. Snider Jr.

Brigadier General (Retired) Dale K. Snider Jr., also known as ”DK”, 80, a retired U.S Air Force and Commercial Airline pilot, formerly of Indianapolis, passed away April 8th, 2026 in Panama City, Florida.

He was born on January 3rd, 1946 in Indianapolis, Indiana to parents Dale K. Snider, Sr. and Carol (Miedema) Snider. He graduated from Warren Central High School in 1946. He received his Bachelor's degree from Purdue in 1969. He married Diana (Fisher) Snider on July 1st, 1976. Together they resided in Terre Haute, followed by Indianapolis, and then Florida.

General Snider served in the United States Military for over 41 years, beginning his military career in the US Navy, followed by the U.S. Air Force and then the Indiana Air National Guard. He flew F-4 Phantoms in the Vietnam War, and was awarded The Distinguished Flying Cross Medal during that campaign. Following the Vietnam War, he joined the Indiana Air National Guard. During his service in the Indiana Air National Guard, he flew F-100’s, F-4’s, and F-16’s.

General Snider held numerous command and leadership positions with his military career culminating as a Brigadier General in the Indiana Air National Guard at State Headquarters serving as the Adjutant General for Air and was awarded The Legion of Merit Medal for his service.

In addition to his military service, DK was also a retired Captain for US Airways. During his 33-year career at US Airways, he flew Bach-111’s, MD-80’s, B-757’s, B-767’s, and was flying Wide Body Airbus 330’s Internationally when he retired in 2006.

Following his military and commercial pilot careers, DK’s love for aviation had him continue working in the industry as a simulator instructor for Boeing and then an FAA civil servant with oversight of the Boeing 777 training program in Miami, Florida from which he retired in July of 2025 at 79 years old.

Dale has a son, Chris (Libby) Snider from a previous marriage. DK and Diana together had one daughter, Dana (Drew) Gray. Additionally, DK was a loving stepfather to Diana’s two daughters Sheri (Matt) Brown and Debbie Miller. Together, they had 11 grandchildren; Alex (27) and Cole(25) Brown, Hannah (24), Emma (23), and Lilly Snider (18), Noah (20), Logan (17), Bella (13), Cameron (11) and Scarlett (7) Gray. His beloved oldest granddaughter, Andrea Miller, sadly passed away at the age of 18.

Dale was the oldest of six brothers. He was preceded in death by two of his brothers; Mark and Darryl. He is survived by brothers Terrance, Kim and Robin.

General Dale K. Snider Jr. will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was a true military hero who put his family and duty to his country before his own self-interest. He will be greatly missed. May you have the prettiest blue skies for all your flights in the afterlife with our lord and savior. God Bless.

Visitation will be held Friday, May 8th, beginning at 12:00pm at Crown Hill Funeral Home in Indianapolis. The funeral service will begin at 1:00pm followed at 2:30pm by a Military Honors Ceremony at the Field of Valor Mausoleum at the same location.