Virgil Snell

Virgil Lee Snell was the second child born to Virgil and Celia (Myers) Snell on April 2, 1939 at Buffalo, Oklahoma and died on September 17, 2014 at Ashland, Kansas. Lee grew up on the family farm in the Gyp Valley Community of Buffalo, Oklahoma. During his high school years he was very active in FFA Future Farmers of America attending many a livestock show, showing hogs and cattle. He graduated with the class of 1957 from Buffalo High School. In May of 1956 Lee signed up for the Oklahoma National Guard. Every year for over 40 years he got to go on a two week vacation with the Guard for Summer Camp Training. Lee retired with honors from the Oklahoma National Guard in 2000. Lee married his long time high school sweetheart Ramona (Hargus) Snell on her graduation day, May 12, 1959. After their marriage Lee went to work for the State of Oklahoma it was during this time the young couple added two daughters to their family Monica born in February of 1962 and Amber in June of 1965.  Lee then became Assistant Manager of Home Lumber and Supply Co. at Buffalo, Oklahoma. Home Lumber and Supply offered him the advancement to manager in September 1970. Lee accepted the position and he and the family moved to Ashland where they have lived ever since. Lee retired from Home Lumber in 1981 and began his hobby as a farmer and cattle rancher. He ran cattle in both Ashland and Buffalo, OK. with his younger brother Linn Snell and just recently with grandson Kirk Woodruff. He and Kirk also had a small animal farm where together they raised hogs, lambs, horses, cows, llamas and Tom the cat. That farm was where many 4-H projects were raised. In 1998 Lee began delivering the daily newspapers, the Dodge City Daily Globe and The Hutchinson News retiring after several years. Lee visited the Ranch House most mornings to enjoy breakfast and some friendly and certainly knowledgeable Conversation from the other customers. In Lee’s younger years he was very active in the Ashland Jaycees, Kiwanis Club, Ashland Chamber of Commerce and the Clark County Fairboard. He was a member of the Clark County Extension Ag PCD Board and the Ashland Cooperative Board. He was still a very avid supporter of the Clark County Fair and 4-H clubs. He was co-4-H project leader in the hog project for over 20 years and is a current member of the Clark County Farm Service Board of Directors. He was a member of the First Christian Church and an elder on the church board.  In March of 2008 he was named the Ashland Citizen of the year by the Ashland Chamber of Commerce. He was an avid fan of the Ashland Bluejays, more so when one or more of his grandchildren were on the field, court or track. Lee was instrumental in helping both of his daughters in establishing their businesses, Snell-Nelson Insurance and the Clark County Clipper. Lee stated many many times his true joy was spending as much time as he could with all of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Margaret Freeman and a grandson Tyson Nelson. Lee is survived by his wife Ramona of 55 years, daughters Monica Meininger and husband Mike and Amber Woodruff and husband Mitch of Ashland, KS; brother Linn Snell and wife Barbara of Buffalo, OK. Grandchildren Tony and Leann Krier of Fowler, KS, Chandra and Matt Walter of Manhattan, KS, Caleb  and Jaime Nelson of Buffalo, OK., Brady and  Emily Nelson of Denver, CO., Kirk Woodruff and finance’ Amanda Roach of Ashland, KS Morgan Woodruff, Alva, OK. Blake Woodruff, Alva, OK. and Grant Meininger of Pratt, KS. Great grandchildren Colter Nelson, Tyson Krier, Brynlee Walter, Noah Krier and Grady Krier. As well as several nieces, nephews and many friends.