Marion Alexander Snell, 84, died at his home on Sulphur Creek in Lampasas on April 10, 2025 surrounded by his family.
He was born on May 26, 1940 in San Angelo to Casbeer Snell and Margaret Josephine Alexander Snell.
He graduated from Lampasas High School, Class of 1958 and then moved to Lubbock, where he received his Bachelor of Science at Texas Tech University in 1963. He continued his education with graduate school at Southern Methodist University-Southwestern School of Banking.
He married Judy Kelly (1963-1979) with whom he had two children, Tracy and Dale.
He then married Cecila Jeanette Ray on June 19, 1981, and they spent 43 years together until his death.
Marion’s professional career consisted of banking in Brownfield, Big Spring and Lubbock, where he retired as senior executive officer at Plains National Bank. He was known as a well-respected businessman and friend to many.
After retirement, Marion and Jeanette moved back to his hometown of Lampasas, on his family ranch where he pursued a second career in investments which included farming and ranching, real estate development, and oil and gas exploration and production. He also was involved in various philanthropic endeavors.
God and family were most important to him as well as being a steward of the land. As a descendant of the Snell/Alexander families, Marion took great pride in meticulously maintaining his Mesquite Creek (est. 1849) and Sulphur Creek (est. 1901) family ranches in Burnet and Lampasas counties. One could always find him driving his truck in the pasture feeding cattle, and snipping cedar -- the one thing he disliked on the land. He enjoyed fishing on the creeks and raising cattle throughout his entire life.
Marion was a lifetime member of Lampasas Methodist Church, where he served on several committees throughout the years.
Marion was preceded in death by his sister Daphne Snell Kofman, and two brothers, Casbeer Snell Jr. and John Snell.
Marion is survived by his wife, Cecila Jeanette Ray Snell of Lampasas; brother Maynard Duwain Snell of Lampasas; children Tracy Lynn Snell Mack and husband Tim Mack of Buda, Dale Lewis Snell of Lubbock, Brent Nichols and wife Tracey of Burnet, and Michelle Antoinette Nichols of Lampasas; 11 grandchildren, Zackary Alexander Cannon and wife Nicole, Kristen Leigh Cannon, Amber Nichols-Molina and husband Ismael, Dois Alan Haggard and wife Candace, Faron Nichols and wife Macey, Corden Nichols, Raegan Haggard, Rachel Haggard, Pecos Doss, Avery Mack Robinson and husband Taylor, and Trevor Mack and wife Brittany; eight greatgrandchildren, Roman Lee Galan, Liam Molina, Leyla Hope Haggard, June Leigh Haggard, Duke Haggard, Jake Haggard, Heston Nichols and Sophie Mack; eight nieces and nephews; along with a large extended family.
Funeral services will be held at Lampasas Methodist Church on April 17 at 2 p.m., with interment to follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. Sneed-Carnley Funeral Chapel has charge of arrangements.
Memorial donations may be made to Lampasas Methodist Church Endowment Fund, 2 Alexander Ln., Lampasas, TX 76550.
