Oliver Snodgrass Obituary

Former La Plata County resident Oliver Ellis Snodgrass died Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009, at his home in Carson, Calif. He was

80.

Mr. Snodgrass was born to Virgil and Mary Snodgrass in Riverside, N.M., on Jan. 15, 1929. He grew up in and around La

Plata County. He attended Spring Creek School through the eighth grade, when he had to go to work to help support his

family.

He met his wife, Helen Freeman, in Allison, where he worked on her father's farm. On May 9, 1952, the couple married in

Aztec.

Mr. Snodgrass served in the Army during the Korean War and was stationed in Philadelphia.

In 1957, the Snodgrasses moved to California. In 1992, Mr. Snodgrass retired from Arrowhead Water after 34 years of

service. He originally worked in the glass factory for bottling the water and later moved into the refrigeration and

water-cooler areas.

In his spare time, Mr. Snodgrass enjoyed working on cars. His son Terry Snodgrass said his father loved to tinker in

the garage and always had a project going.

Mr. Snodgrass is survived by his wife of 57 years, Helen Snodgrass, of Carson; sons Terry Snodgrass of Torrance,

Calif., and Mark Snodgrass of Carson; daughters Carol Steddum of Hopkinsville, Ky., and Brenda Fernandez of Twain

Harte, Calif.; 12 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

A service was held Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, at Bethel Baptist Church in Torrance, Calif. Burial took place on Tuesday,

Dec. 15, 2009, at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, Calif.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Bethel Baptist Church, 1501 W. Carson St., Torrance, Calif. 90501.