Lonnie Snook

Lonnie L. Snook, 87, passed away peacefully at home on February 27, 2023. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, as well as an outstanding mentor, loyal friend, and role model to all. His fun-loving sense of humor, love and care for his blended family and friends, generosity, and dedication to his faith will be deeply missed.Born to George and Goldia Snook near Howard, Kansas, on July 14, 1935, Lonnie was the youngest of five children. At the age of three, his family moved to El Dorado, Kansas. This was “home” to Lonnie. There he made life-long friends and had especially fond memories of playing baseball. He was committed to helping others from a very young age as evidenced by his willingness to collect cans, clothes, and newspapers for the war effort.At the age of 14, Lonnie got his first job at the Southwest Ice Company. His junior year of high school, his baseball team played for the state championship. Later, this team was inducted into the El Dorado Baseball Hall of Fame. After graduation from high school, he continued his education at El Dorado Junior College (now Butler Community College) and then transferred to Wichita University (now Wichita State University). He had a strong work ethic and held several jobs to pay his way through school, including driving an ambulance and hearse for the Bird-Snodgrass Mortuary in El Dorado, running grade for the Kansas Turnpike, sweeping streets for the City of Wichita, and driving delivery trucks for the Delivery Service Company.In 1958, before he could finish his degree program at Wichita University, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Bomholder, Germany, and was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant after two years. When he returned home, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Secondary Industrial Arts Education. While completing his education, he worked as a welder for the Coleman Company. Opportunities kept him there advancing through the ranks through retirement. He was first married in 1961 and adopted his wife’s three children: Cary, Vickie, and Cathy. One year later, they welcomed their son, David, into the world. His work with Coleman took the family to Cedar City, Utah. There, their daughter, Marcia, was born. The family then transferred to Somerset, Pennsylvania, where Lonnie laid out a new Coleman factory and served as the Superintendent and Head of Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering. He also taught adult education courses at the local vocational school and served as district chairman for Boy Scouts of America. After his divorce years later, he transferred to Wichita, Kansas, to design and build the Coleman RV Products air conditioning factory.In Wichita, he met and married LaDonna Snook in 1991. He treated her two children, Stacey and Joe, as his own. Lonnie embarked on his next adventure with three partners and bought the RV Products division from the Coleman Company, which later became a division of the Airxcel Corporation. He served as the Vice President of RVP’s Manufacturing and Engineering until retirement, after which he continued in a consulting capacity until his full retirement at age 70.In 2003, Lonnie and LaDonna purchased a home overlooking El Dorado Lake allowing him to reconnect with his “home town.” In 2005, he was honored as the Distinguished Alumni of Butler Community College. After he retired that same year, he had more time to enjoy his hobbies: fishing, woodworking, and time with his friends. He spent countless hours in his workshop building furniture and other wood projects. He served on and as President of the Butler Community College Foundation Board and on the Board of Directors for Sawyer Memorial Homes. He was honored to be the commencement speaker and receive an honorary diploma from Butler Community College in 2012. Lonnie loved wholeheartedly and was a devoted family man never missing a family sporting event, musical performance, or special occasion; his family, he would say, was his greatest accomplishment. He is preceded in death by his parents, George & Goldia (Blaine) Snook, as well as four siblings: Hubert (Joyce) Snook, Claude (Terry) Snook, Juanita (Wayne) Shropshire, and Virginia Anderson. He is survived by his beloved wife of 31 years, LaDonna Snook, Wichita, KS; and children: Cary McDonald, Phoenix, AZ; Vickie (John) Miller, Somerset, PA; Cathy (Kendall) Amburn, Bowie, TX; David Snook, Berlin, PA; Marcia Snook, Berlin, Germany; Stacey (Bret) Marcotte, Wichita, KS; and Joseph (Emily) Steffes, Dallas, TX. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Jason (Monica) Dunaway, Boston, MA; Brandon (Kylee) Dunaway, Baytown, TX; Danielle (Bryan) Yeago, Charlottesville, VA; Derek (Lizzy) McDonald, Boulder, CO; Michelle (Zac) Yeaton, Kittery, ME; Haley (Marcus) Graeff, Bel Aire, KS; Paige (Devin) Reese, Westwood, KS; Hayes Hungate, Manhattan, KS; Zoey Steffes, RyLee Steffes, Sophie Steffes, each of Rockwall, TX; and several step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.Rosary at 10:30 am followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 am on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with Butler Community College Fine Arts Dept, 901 S. Haverhill Rd., El Dorado, KS 67042.Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.