Eugene Sanford Snell Jr.

1926-2015

Gene Snell, 89, of Pampa and White Deer died Wednesday, April 15, 2015, at his home.

Gene was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church where a memorial service will be held Saturday, April 18, at 2:30 pm with Pastor Michael Erickson officiating.

Gene was born January 3, 1926, in St. John, Kansas to Gene and Jennie Snell where he resided until joining the U. S. Navy, serving from 1944 to 1946. He served in the South Pacific aboard the USS Harmon in WWII. During his tour of duty, the USS Harmon was stationed off Iwo Jima where he witnessed the invasion and the historic raising of the American flag at Mount Suribachi.

November 24, 1949, Gene married the love and joy of his life, Floy Jean Mawdsley. Gene graduated from Kansas State in 1951. Following graduation, the Snells moved to the Rhea Community of the Texas Panhandle before moving to Pampa in 1956 where he was employed by Hoover Oil Company, owned and operated Farm Service Center, and worked for Pampa Concrete and Golden Spread Redi-Mix. Upon retirement in 1998, he fulfilled his life-long passion of farming.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, his son Brad, and three sisters.

Gene was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather being survived by his wife, Jean of the home; son, Craig and spouse Kimberly of Amarillo; daughter, Jen of White Deer; son, Kim and spouse Jamie of Edmond, OK; and daughter, Becky of Norman, OK; a brother, Bob and spouse Lila of Manhattan, KS; two sisters, Mary Lou and spouse Lester of Pratt, KS, and Kathy of Salina, KS; eleven grandchildren, Chad and spouse Cindy; Eric and spouse Michelle; Sheridan and spouse Waylon; Kyle and spouse Cristin; Markeeta and spouse Donny; Adam; Reagan and spouse Clay; Grace; Michelle and spouse Jeremy; Michael and spouse Sheena; and Matthew and spouse Michelle; and 21 great grandchildren; extended family, Ross and Jeanie Hoener of Pratt, KS; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A heart-felt thanks of appreciation to BSA Home Health Nurses Kevin and Belinda, and Doctors Neelagaru, Norris, Osborn, and Urban.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO

Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675; woundedwarriorproject.org; or your favorite charity.