Arthur Louis Snell

Arthur Louis Snell, 93, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2021, in Horseshoe Bay, Texas. Art, as he was known to friends and family, was born August 19, 1927 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Vincent Adelan Snell and Suzanne Dillon Snell.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Joy Brittingham Snell, his six children, Edward John Snell, Carol Jean Goodlett, Susan Snell Maldonado, Christopher Dillon Snell, Steven Brittingham Snell and Michael Tad Snell, and by his 12 grandchildren Sophia, Trevor, Kristin, Rene, Kaiden, Logan, Dillon, Tori, Scott, Gail, Chase, and Travis. Art was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Nancy Snell Mead, and his brothers, Col. Dillon Snell, and Lt. Col. Robert Snell.

Art was raised in Minnesota, where he and his brothers loved to hunt, hike, and explore the wilderness. Those early years formed Art’s character and his love for ranches, hunting, and the mountains. Art married Joy in San Antonio, Texas, where they lived and raised all six children. Art was a member of the San Antonio German Club and the Order of the Alamo. He was President of V.A. Snell & Company, which at the time was the largest veterinary pharmaceutical distribution center in the United States. In the 1960s, Art was credited with inventing the ear tag for cattle, called the Lone Star Tag, and formed his manufacturing company, called Y-Tex Corporation, in Cody, Wyoming, where he loved to hunt.

Art went on to form Snell Power Fence, which introduced high power electric fencing, and the Savory Rotational Grazing methods to North America. He also introduced the Tru-Test Scales Electronic Weighing Systems for livestock to the U.S. During this time, Art and Joy formed Snell Arabians, one of the top Arabian Horse Farms in the US. In the 1990s, Art founded Horseshoe Bay One Real Estate with his partner Diana Wright, which Diana still operates today, along with Ted Burdgett as Broker. Art was a true entrepreneur in every sense of the word.

Art attended Purdue University, where he played football and forever ruined his knees. Both were replaced in the late ’70s, much to Art’s delight. After college, Art served in the South Pacific during WWII as a Navy Corpsman on the Merchant Marine ship, the SS Josiah Royce.

After the war, Art moved to Montana, where he rode rodeo and worked as a cowboy for the 4K Ranch in Fishtail, Montana. It was there that he met Babe Ruth. Babe took a liking to Art that summer, which resulted in Art receiving an autographed baseball from The Great Bambino himself.

Art was known as "The Big Bear” by his friends. His tall stature, commanding presence, and humorous nature made him a natural focal point whenever he walked into a room. His booming voice could intimidate even the best of us, but Art had a huge heart, and he thrived on helping people succeed in life. Art had thousands of employees between his many business ventures, mentoring many of them as they first started out in life. Art was a great teacher. Whether training salespeople, helping set up companies, educating ranchers on new, modern techniques, or just helping his children, Art loved to teach and help anytime he could.

Art touched many lives with his warmth, his engaging stories, and his vast interests. He will be remembered as a special man and loyal friend. He was a cowboy, a soldier, an entrepreneur, a marksman, a hunter, a teacher, a mentor, a father, a loving husband, and, most of all, a thoughtful and caring man. We will all miss him terribly.

Special thanks go to the many caring and attentive doctors and nurses from Kindred Hospice of Georgetown, especially Martha, Lucy, Debbie, Kim and Sandra. We cannot thank you all enough for all your amazing care.

The family also extends their appreciation to Wally and Colleen Naftzger for their help and friendship, and to all the Visiting Angels caregivers. We are forever indebted to all of the kind staff and caregivers who assisted Art and our family. Because of all of you, Art enjoyed a quiet and independent life in his final years at his home in Horseshoe Bay, Tx.

A memorial service will be held in Horseshoe Bay, Texas at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in tribute to the NRA.

The NRA Foundation

11250 Waples Mill Rd

Fairfax, VA 22030

https://www.nrafoundation.org/donate/