Roger Snell: 1947-2021

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With a heavy and loving heart I would like to honor my husband, Roger, with the hardest thing I've ever written — his obituary.

Roger G. Snell of Chehalis, Wash., passed away peacefully June 3, 2021, at home with his wife and boys by his side. In April of 2019, Roger was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). Such a nasty illness, with no cure.

Roger was a member of The Free Methodist Church in Sedro Woolley, Wash. He loved the

Lord and the many blessings offered to him.

Roger was born the youngest son of Carroll William and Lena Violet (Godfrey) Snell. Born on June 10, 1947, in Mount Vernon, Wash., he was welcomed by brothers, Richard and Russell. His oldest brother, Carroll Gayland, died as an infant due to complications of pneumonia.

On the day Roger was born, his dad went to the car to let Richard and Russell know that they had a little brother. When they were told his name was Gary, they cried and told him they wanted to name him Roger! So Carroll went back to Lena's hospital room and told her, "We've got to name that boy, Roger." So henceforth his name would be,

Roger Gary Snell. 

As a young lad his dad nicknamed him "Cheesecat." That name still follows him today with family

and friends. Roger's momma died when he was 14. His dad was a logger and lived away from home during the week, so Roger went to live with his brother, Russell; wife, Margie; and their 3 little girls, Caryl Rae, Eileen (Sis) and baby Jo-Jo. Oh, how he loved them and they loved him. Richard and Russell also logged with their dad and were gone during the week, so it was up to poor Margie to try and keep Roger under control. Oh my, the fun they had together. While in high school Roger worked for Skagit Steel Mill and drove a Pea Truck.

Roger graduated from Sedro Woolley High School with the class of 1965. Where he played Football, Basketball and was a Pole Vaulter on the Track Team. 

After graduation he went to Skagit Valley College for a while, then went to work with his dad and brothers for Snell Logging. He hated the horseflies and decided logging wasn't for him. 

He joined the Army on June 21, 1966, and went to Basic Training in Ft. Polk, Louisiana. While home on leave he was in a motorcycle/car accident. He t-boned a car that had turned in front of him on his motorcycle. He spent the next year in traction at the VA Hospital in Seattle. He broke his leg and hip. After he was released from the hospital he returned to duty at Madigan Hospital where he worked in the office. He was honorably discharged from the Army as Spec. 5 Sergeant on June 20, 1969.

In 1968 Roger and Linda(Gee) Carcich were married. From their union the most beautiful baby girl he'd ever seen, Angela Nadene Snell, was born on October 23, 1968. After 15 years of marriage he and Linda went their separate ways and divorced.

In 1972, Roger headed East to become a student at Central Washington University in Ellensburg. In 1974, he graduated with his degree in Finance/Accounting. After graduation, he worked as a traveling auditor for a short time. In 1975, he went to work for Cascade Loggers Supply in Chehalis for his Sedro Woolley friends, Richard, Linda and Fred Lennox. He worked in the accounting department as their Controller. He was treated more like family than employee. He loved it there, but his passion was motorcycles.

On September 14, 1985, Roger and I got married in our back yard on the bank of The Newaukum River. When my dad (Dale Hadaller) gave me away to Roger, he said, "There you go, now she's your problem!" Roger has reminded me of that ever since. We were looking forward to celebrating our 36th wedding anniversary in September.

On May 27, 1986, our twin boys were born at The University of Washington Hospital in Seattle. Living for only 5 and 6 days, they passed away on June 1 and June 2, 1986.

On June 17, 1987, our son, Levi Hadaller Snell was born. On April 21, 1989, our son, Taner Hadaller Snell was born. Roger loved "His Boys" fiercely and they all became best friends as they aged. They had so much fun together and I was proud to be with them.

In 1989 Roger left Cascade Loggers Supply and fulfilled his dream of owning a motorcycle dealership: Chehalis Honda and Marine. Due to the downfall in the logging and farming community, sales were not what he had hoped for.

So he sold his shares to his partners and stepped down as President in 1992. He later went to work for South Sound Honda in Olympia as their financial advisor. On June 1, 1992, Roger was hired by the Lewis County Treasurer as Lead Accountant and Office Manager. Four years later Roger became Lewis County's Chief Deputy Treasurer. His days were busy from investing tax payer dollars, banking, meetings, classes, and a variety of committees and boards.

Roger retired on July 1, 2012, with his friend of 30+ years, Lynne Barnes.

Roger loved his retirement, often telling me "It was the best job he's ever had!" He had the best personality and was always entertaining to be around. Roger and Big Bro Russ went on many motorcycle trips throughout the years; a favorite was riding to the Florida Keys for bike week.

He also loved riding with Angie, Levi and Taner, often saying "Ain't nothing better than that!"

He enjoyed being outside, riding quads, working the farm with his tractor and spending warm days at the river. We loved riding horses together both at home and across the Arizona Desert to the T-Bone Steak House for dinner. He always looked forward to the Twin Falls County Fair in Idaho where he watched and helped the grandkids with their heifers.

In October of 2011, we bought our perfect retirement home in Surprise, AZ. He loved it there, floating in the pool and keeping the yard tidy. It was always a special time when Angie, Dean and the grandkids came to stay with us. It was always fun at Pop's house in both Arizona and Washington.

Roger is lovingly remembered by his wife, Denise; daughter Angie Snell (Dean) Allen; sons, Levi (Kenzie) Snell and Taner Snell; brother, Russ (Margie) Snell; the best grandchildren ever, Jake (Taylor) Williams, Jared (Madison) Allen, Garett Allen (Kortni MacDonald, his girlfriend), Evan (Katie) Allen, and "Pop's girl" Sadie Allen; great-grandbabies Kingsley and Lindley Williams; nieces, Caryl Rae (Nick) Burroughs, Eileen (Kenny) Robinson, Jo-Jo (Scotty) Cruse, and Patty (Bill) Kaaland; nephew, Rod Snell; special great-niece Andi Snell (Kelly) Frydenlund; father-inlaw, Dale Hadaller; sister-inlaw, Sandy (Gregg) Duckett; niece-in-law, Beth (Shawn) O'Neill; dear friends, Lynne and Jim Barnes; his boy, Mak; horse, Ruby; and the mini goat, Chucky.

Roger is sadly predeceased by his parents, Carroll and Lena Snell; brother, Carroll Gayland Snell; brother, Richard Snell; sister-in-law; Shirley Snell; nephew, Wes Snell; niece, Barbara Snell; twin sons, "The Snell Boys"; and his beloved mother-in-law, Arlene (Hamilton) Hadaller.

Oh My Honey, until we are reunited I will miss and love you forever. Rest easy, Mine. Services to be held at Sticklin Funeral Chapel July 16, 2021, at 11:00 AM.