John Lee Snell

John Lee Snell, 74, passed away October 17, 2022. He was born November 26, 1947 to Wilbur (Bill) Snell and Nila (Roebuck) Snell in Ohio and the family soon moved to Colorado. He excelled in sports and music, his band narrowly missing the chance to record due to an illness. However, he never stopped playing the guitar and making beautiful music. He was a man of few words and a kind smile.

He married Connie Wertz in 1970 and the couple welcomed a son, Jason, in 1972 and daughter, Stacy, in 1973. He was a wonderful father. He loved hunting and would wake Jason and Stacy up to come help him process the harvest when they were young. Later years found John and Jason hunting side by side, a bond created that only the most fortunate of sons are able to claim. He loved to fish, catching was just a fun benefit. He played the guitar almost daily. Some of Stacy's most precious memories are of John waking her up by singing and playing the guitar. Music always sounded better with his strumming guitar.

He attended Larimer County Voc-Tech Center and earned a certificate in Uniform Building codes. He worked various jobs in the early years, including Colorado Steel and Wire, Bennett's Tackle, was an apprentice in the Carpenter's Union, Fort Collins Housing Authority, General Contractor and freelance architecture design. One of his most prized accomplishments was building a beautiful house across from Horsetooth Mountain Park, long before it was a park and prior to most houses existing in the area.

John and Connie later divorced. He went on to build and remodel many houses in the Fort Collins area. He was greatly respected and loved by those he worked with and for. John and special friend of 31 years, Kari Troeger, have refinished hundreds of pieces of furniture for resale. If Kari could imagine it, John could somehow discern what she was envisioning and make it happen. He knew how to use any tool in the shop. He was a being of raw, gifted talent and brilliance.

Ever the humble soul, he was absolutely adored and admired by those who loved him and were blessed to be loved by him. He was pure greatness, with a trucker hat, bright colored shirt, perfectly trimmed beard, the kindest blue eyes and the toughest hands. He was smarter than he let on. He knew something about everything and knew just the sly, witty comment to tuck into a conversation to have everyone rolling in laughter. He would often adjust his trucker hat before speaking. You would know something brilliantly funny was coming up when he would say, "Hey, I got an idea!"

John could pick up any instrument and play it. He was always fond of wild animals that he was sure needed a home, or maybe just some food and shelter. He always allowed any person or animal to be free to make their own destiny, but he made sure they were taken care of anyhow. There have been a long line of cats who were lucky enough to have stolen his heart and he doted on them.

He is survived by his mother, Nila Snell of Fort Collins; son Jason Snell (Amy) of Windsor, CO; daughter Stacy Williams-Larsen (Lars) of Montross, VA; grandchildren: Tanner Williams of Fort Collins, CO; Kylie Hart (Indy) of Fort Collins, CO; Kalen Snell of Loveland, CO; Colter Williams of Fort Collins, CO; Connor Snell of Windsor, CO; special friend, Kari Troeger and her daughter Dusty Salinas of Bellvue, CO; Siblings: Roger Snell (Wanda) of Saratoga, WY; Gary Snell (Diane) of Bernice, OK; Sandy Snell-Dobert (Stephen) of Gunnison, CO; Karen Dickey (Frank) of Pierce, CO; nieces/nephews: TJ Snell (Veronica) of Semmes, AL; Elisa Hansen of Loveland, CO; Brian Snell (Stephanie) of Loveland, CO; Melissa Snell of Haines, AK; Naomi Patrick of Wasilla, AK; Danielle Dickey (Jason Ramer) of Pierce, CO; Colton Dickey of Pierce, CO; many grand-nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Wilbur (Bill) Snell.

The family joined together for a Celebration of Life on October 23, 2022. Will plan to have a campfire celebration in his honor in the Spring of 2023 for all of his many friends to join in.

In lieu of flowers, John would ask for donations to be sent to Northern Colorado Friends of Ferals, 4820 Eagle Lake Drive, Fort Collins, CO, through PayPal on their website at nocoferals.org, or through coloradogives.org.