Ernest Carl Snook, nicknamed E.C., but also known as "Papa", passed away January 16 ^th , 2022 at his home surrounded by his two daughters and wife. He was a loving husband, father, and "Papa". He was always caring and it was so important to him to see that his family was well taken care of. We already miss him so much.

Ernest Carl Snook was born in Ford, Kansas on March 12 ^th , 1933.  His parents were Arnold and Margaret Snook.

He was raised on a farm and loved helping his dad farm everyday throughout his growing up years.

Ernest graduated high school in May 1951.

He married the love of his life, Jean Horchem on August 17 ^th , 1955 and they were married for over 66 years.

Ernest and Jean met on September 11, 1953. They had their first date on September 24, 1953 going to a Homecoming Football Game.

Ernest continued his education after High School attending Kansas State college at Fort Hays, Ks. Ernest played doubles in tennis all through college, where he and his good buddy and partner, Bobby Gumm usually came in first place majority of the time. Another college mate was Eddie Sutton-OSU Basketball Coach for many years. Ernest earned his Master's degree in May 1956. Upon graduating college, he got a job with the USDA-Soil Conservation Service. He was the top Soil Conservationist in the state of Oklahoma, which he was hired to travel all over the state to give his expertise advice on soil and plants.

Ernest and Jean moved to Beaver, Oklahoma in August 1956.  Other places that they lived were in Roswell, New Mexico, Clovis, New Mexico, and Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Living in Stillwater, Oklahoma he became an AVID OSU Cowboy fan and purchased season tickets to all the home games for football, basketball, and wrestling games.

The day before his passing, Ernest enjoyed watching the OSU Cowboy's game Saturday, Jan 15 ^th where the Cowboys played and BEAT #1 Baylor in basketball.  Ironically, one hour after the game, Ernest's health started declining.

Ernest retired from the Soil Conservation Service in 1987 after 31 years of service.  After eight years into his retirement, Ernest and Jean made their final move to Kimberling City, MO in 1995.

Kimberling City, MO was a dream place to live. Ernest loved his new home and as an avid fisherman he was in heaven living on Table Rock Lake. He loved fishing at Table Rock Lake off his pontoon boat, but his perfect fishing place was at Roaring River. He always managed to know exactly where all the big fish were and caught them. He loved Roaring River so much that he purchased a LONDONAIRE MOTORHOME that was his dream vehicle. He became a member at Paradise Valley campgrounds, where he and Jean would stay weeks at a time in their motorhome. Besides fishing all day, Ernest enjoyed camping, playing games at the camp clubhouse at nights, and having a fish fry every Friday with all the other campers.

Ernest was loved by all those who knew him and will be dearly missed, especially by his two daughters, Sherry and Terry who adored and admired him.

He is survived by wife, Jean, children, Sherry Beck, Terry Williams of the home, and son Barry Snook, wife Nancy of Caldwell, Ohio. He is also survived by one sister, Peggie Klemm of Overland Park, Ks, seven nephews, three nieces, eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren, adding a ninth in June 2022.

Papa was so devoted to his two grandsons and granddaughter that lived with him in MO.  He would fill his van with rowdy boys and tote them to and from games or any other activities for many years. His granddaughter who adored him was her sidekick. This is what she wrote to her papa – "Papa, I feel like I never said Thank you enough for all that you did for me. You have always been a man of few words but ornery as heck that kept me on my toes. With that said I always knew you loved me. I mean, who in their right mind would watch the same boring dance routine 5-6 times a day for weeks on end in the dead of summer at SDC if they didn't love me. You always let me touch the truck radio on our morning drives to school and you never complained once about waking up early to do so. You always signed up for school outings and got stuck with a bunch of talkative girls and even rode all the roller coasters just so I had a ride buddy. Thank you for always taking care of me and giving me a great childhood with a father figure I could be proud of.  I Love you Papa."

This is what one nephew wrote to his papa – I just heard the horrible news on my papa.  I'm praying for everybody during this time. Papa was such an amazing man. I will always cherish the memories with him. The "candy corner" the fishing trips with him, the knowledge he has shared. He was always willing to pick us up at the bus stop. Papa always took me to my 4:30am basketball practices. There's not one thing he wouldn't do for us growing up. He will always be a father figure to me in my life.

Pre-deceased in death were his parents Arnold and Margaret Snook, in-laws Orville and Chloe Horchem, a sister Virginia Tracy, brother in-law Neal Tracy, brother in-law Jerry Klemm, a nephew Trent Tracy, and a niece Debbie Horchem.

He has requested to be cremated with no funeral. Cremation by Stumpff Funeral Home in Kimberling City, MO.