Mike Snedden

Long-time Craig County rancher Michael Borroum Snedden passed on at his home in Vinita, Oklahoma on September 5, 2012. Mike was the son of Elizabeth Borroum Snedden and George William Snedden II. His family lived on the West Coast during World War II while his father served in the Navy. After the war, the family returned to make their home in Nowata, Oklahoma. This allowed them to be close to both the Borroum Ranch in Osage County and the Snedden Ranch in Craig County. Mike attended Nowata schools and graduated from the Oklahoma Military Academy in Claremore, Oklahoma. He was a member of the last graduating class of Oklahoma A & M, Stillwater in 1957. He earned a degree in Animal Husbandry. While at Stillwater he was a member of the Block and Bridle Club and proudly wore the belt buckle he received for winning the All-Around Cowboy title at the Block and Bridle Rodeo. During summers and school holidays he enjoyed learning the ranching business by working on the Chapman-Barnard Ranch in Osage County as well as on the family ranch. He attributed his rich knowledge of ranching to the teaching of Walker Vivion. He considered Walker as family. Walker was known by the Snedden family as "Uncle Walker". Mike married Jane Goodpaster in the Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, Vinita, Oklahoma on December 26, 1954. After college Mike and Jane moved to Sioux City, Iowa where he worked for the USDA, but in 1959, returned to Oklahoma with his young family. Mike and Jane lived on the Snedden Ranch until October 2010 when they moved to Vinita and leased their pastures to their children. He loved animals and took great joy in seeing cattle gain on native grasses. After moving to town he continued to trade cattle in the feedlots, always keeping a close eye on cattle and corn prices. Mike was a member of the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association and served as Northeast Director. He was also a member and past president of the Bluestem Cattlemen's Association. He served over 40 years on the Board of Directors of Oklahoma State Bank. He was a strong supporter of the Centralia community and especially their Volunteer Fire Department. He was preceded in death by his parents, a special aunt and uncle, May Borroum and Lincoln Robinson, his sister Patricia Snedden Vargas and brother George William "Bubby" Snedden III and several cousins. He is survived by his wife Jane of the home, daughter Sara Elizabeth Shelton and husband Jim of Vinita, daughter Marcia May Brunger and husband Craig of Wagoner, OK, son Michael George Snedden and wife Carla of Centralia, OK. He dearly loved each of his nine grandchildren and one great grandson. Thomas Craig Shelton and wife Leslie of Vinita, Elizabeth Lee Shelton of Washington, DC, William Michael Shelton of Amarillo, TX, Mary Katherine Craven and husband James of Washington, DC. Emily May Brunger and son Jaylen Michael of Broken Arrow, OK, Aaron Craig Brunger of Bixby, OK, Morgan Hoover of Norman, OK, Austen Hoover of Edmond, OK and Sophia Olive Snedden of Centralia, OK. He is also survived by a brother-in-law Eddie Vargas, Broken Arrow, OK, sister-in-law Marilyn Snedden of Tulsa, OK, and many special cousins, nieces and nephews. The family invites you to celebrate Mike on, Sunday, September 23, 2012, from 2-5 pm at the new Craig County Community Building. Mike had supported the fund raising efforts for the building and was so pleased to see it completed. The family would ask that contributions be made to the Goodpaster Scholarship Fund in lieu of flowers. Goodpaster Scholarship Fund, c/o Vinita Public Schools Educational Foundation, 114 S. Scraper, Vinita, OK 74301. Online condolences may be made at www.honoringmemories.com. Arrangements are by the Luginbuel Funeral Home.

Visitation Details

Sunday, September 23rd, 2012 2:00pm - 5:00pm, Craig County Fairgrounds Community Center

Service Details

Sunday, September 23rd, 2012 2:00pm, Craig County Fairgrounds Community Center