Richard Ralph (Rick) Snure died on June 11, 2009 in a helicopter crash northwest of Phoenix, Arizona. Born on February 26, 1948 in Douglas, Snure was a life-long Cochise County rancher. He attended elementary school at the one room school at Apache, Arizona, was a graduate of Douglas High School and the University of Arizona. He was a member of the Cochise Graham Cattle Growers Association, the Arizona Cattle Growers’ Association, the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association, and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Assn. He served for many years on the board of trustees of the Apache School for 28 years.
In addition to his passion for flying, Rick was an excellent cowman as well as an accomplished horseman. He raised and trained some outstanding roping horses and spent much of his free time while his sons were growing up traveling to rodeos throughout the Southwest. Their accomplishments in those and many other arenas were his greatest source of pride.
Rick is survived by his sons Dr. Roland Snure, Silver City, New Mexico; Clay Snure and Bill Snure and their mother, Fran Whatley, Benson; his grandson Olan Snure, Silver City; his brother Bill, Amarillo; nephew Ben, Clarendon, Texas; niece Sloane Snure Paullus, Columbia, Missouri as well as cousins Marguerite Vensel, Caren, Connie and Carol Cowan, Ruth Evelyn Giles and Flossie Holly.
He was preceded in death by his father Ben Snure Jr. and his mother Florence Cowan Snure.
A memorial service honoring Snure will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at the Douglas High School Auditorium located 1500 15th Street. Arrangements are being handled by the Brown-Page Mortuary. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the charity of your choice.
2 comments:
My uncle Ralph Sloan(who will be 98 in September and has a great memory of the Ranch) grew up in Skeleton Canyon on the Sloan Ranch. Florence & Ben Snure acquired the ranch subsequent to Ross & Ralph Sloan. Ralph still tells many stories about life on the ranch and how Florence enjoyed the ranch and raising her family there. I noticed one of the "nieces" is named Sloane - I can't help but think the name might have been passed down due to special memories of the ranch. Condolences to the entire Snure family on their tragic loss. Roxxianna1@yahoo.com in Phoenix.
Rick Snure was a good mentor. I enjoyed the years at Apache School and later the time spent working for and with him on Skeleton Canyon Ranch. He, along with others in the valley, helped to initiate my family into the western way of doing things that we have grown to cherish. He will be missed by all who had the privelege of knowing him.
Jeremiah Jones
jeremiahkarla@hotmail.com
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