Carl F. Snead

Carl Franklin Snead passed away peacefully on the morning of June 1, 2023 at Olathe Hospice House. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl Walter and Barbara Genevieve (Reardon) and his brother-in-law, Mike Garner.

Carl (aka, Dad, Da, Coach, Unc and Grandpa Carl) was born on December 29, 1938 in Duenweg, MO. He was born in a room (his home at the time) above a tavern/dance hall that posted a “Miller High Life” sign outside his window. Family then moved to the Southside of Chicago where Carl attended St. Gabriel’s Catholic school. Then in 1949 moved to Mission, KS where Carl resided the rest of his life.

I believe Carl started working while in the womb. Carl was not a man “at rest”. Carl was one tough (expletive)! Carl has NEVER let anyone down….EVER! If he said he was going to do something, he did it! Carl NEVER quit anything in his life and his perseverance carried him through to the very end. He was never late for a single event in his life….”if you are not 15 minutes early, then you’re late”! Carl also had an extremely sweet and caring side. He LOVED his many dogs (most our buried in his backyard!), caring for his beautiful yard where he planted countless marigolds/flowers, planted a vegetable garden and grew his tomatoes! He loved to feed the birds, especially loved to watch the hummingbirds. Carl was an AVID writer. He wrote countless stories of his life; short stories and poetry. Carl READ…everything…I believe he has read every book ever put into print. Carl loved knowledge. He wanted to know what things were, how they worked, the true definition and dynamics of things. He loved philosophy and reading about Albert Einstein. Carl’s mind was sharp and he was always listening. (ha- Just ask the doctors and nurses that cared for him these past 3 months! He asked them every detail of what was going on and then (of course) gave his perspective on things.)

What we loved most about Carl, his sense of humor. He was an open book and his life stories were not only hilarious but also unconventional! Humor was Carl’s air! In fact, there are SO MANY life stories that it is so hard not to include them! (Well, just a few..)

Education:
Grade School: Queen of the Holy Rosary and St. Agnes
High School: Shawnee Mission (SM North today) *did not graduate – earned his GED through the United States Marine Corps (Carl’s story…”see there was a sign that read “Blister Gas” and a sign that read “GED”. I chose what I thought was best.”)
1966- Metropolitan Jr. College - Associates in Arts Degree
1969- University of Kansas (ROCK CHALK!)- Bachelors of Science in Journalism – (Carl worked full-time and commuted five days a week from Mission to Lawrence.)
1990- Kansas State – Masters of Science Degree (diploma) 5/19/1990. Graduated with a 3.86 (not bad for a guy without a high school diploma.)

Carl “quit” high school with his life-long best friend, Don Abell.  The two of them (plus one more unnamed misguided youth) pooled their money, a whopping $51.00, and preceded to hitchhike 15 states and end up on the beach in Miami, FL.  When they were “returned” home, Carl and Don went down and joined the Marine Corps. Don was 18. Carl only 17 so his “ma” had to give her permission/signature. Carl and Don arrived in San Diego, CA to serve the next six years (2 years active 4 reserve) 1956-1962. The Marine Corps influenced Carl’s life significantly.
Training Carl received in the Marines included: Chemical warfare, escape and evasion, Ranger training, Sniper school, Submarine training, etc.

Carl was in “A” Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division”. He told us so many stories of his cold weather training, surviving the “steel coffin and boxes” to being dumped out in the middle of nowhere off a huge sub, the USS Perch, an old WWII sub. *Carl had too many stories! Only Carl can give them justice.

WORK:
(*Carl started working on one of his uncle/aunt’s farms in Plattsburg, MO when he was about 6-7 years old)
Career job; Johnson County Community College (JCCC) 1968 – 1995. Carl is one of the founding members to “create” Johnson County Community College (JCCC). He was hired as the college’s “director of public information”. (He was one to help get the votes & money in order to open the school.) In 1972, JCCC’s television department was created; Carl became JCCC’s TV producer/director until he retired in 1995.
His “side-hustle”, (*Carl was a huge Royal’s fan. Held season tickets right over 3rd base side for many years.) In the early 1980’s, the Royals wanted to videotape the players as they were throwing, hitting, pitching, fielding. Carl was asked to do this. Carl worked every home game from about 1983 – 1986 (included the 1985 World Series)…running the camera from the Royal’s dugout and behind home plate. Carl loved it! So many memories and stories especially ones of the clubhouse/players.

Carl loved sports, all sports! He played football and boxed in high school. He managed/coached his son’s (Brett) baseball teams for years. He loved to fish (one of the best fishermen I will ever know), barbequed (made heavenly briskets/ribs), loved corvettes/hot rods. In addition, Carl liked to gamble! He was good at it or just extremely lucky! He won countless times. He tried to teach his daughter to count cards (unsuccessful on her part).  He also taught his granddaughter Elizabeth how to play poker. So many memories of going to the “boat” (casino) and to Vegas!

What Carl loved the MOST, his family! He never missed any of his kids’ games/events and that carried on to attending every event his granddaughter Elizabeth ever had. He was always there! – I love my dad and I will miss our nightly (every night (eye roll) phone calls. I pray that Carl (dad/da) is with God in heaven, hanging out with his mom and dad and all his dogs! And, that hopefully Uncle Mike (Garner) has finally divulged to Carl his occupation!

Carl leaves behind his beloved sister Barbara Jane Garner (Denny), his two kids, Brett Patrick Snead (Karla) and Janie Lynn Snead, his grandchildren, Caleb, Elizabeth, Ethan and Harper and his two nephews, Michael (Annie) and Patrick (Jessica) Garner, his great nieces, Josephine and Colette Garner and his dogs, Bear and Bailey.

SEMPER FI

Visitation will be held Friday, June 9th at 10:00am with funeral service to follow at 11:00am at St. Pius X, 5500 Woodson, Mission, KS 66202. Burial at Pleasant View Cemetery (6100 Quivira Rd., Shawnee, KS 66203) immediately after the service.  Sandwiches back at St. Pius X after.

A special thank you to ALL the nurses and doctors that cared for Carl for the last 3 months. Special mention to the women and man (Josh) at Olathe Hospice House (153rd and Marion), they are true angels. Their gift of grace and empathy not only served Carl but I do believe he thought he was already in Heaven! We were truly blessed and we are eternally thankful for all of the love and care you showed Carl. A special thank you from Janie (daughter) and Bear & Bailey (doggies) without all of you I would not have been able to get through it. You took care of me (and the dogs) just as much as you cared for Carl!

In lieu of flowers, (if you would like) donations to St. Pius X, Mission, KS and/or Olathe Hospice House (153rd & Marion) are sincerely appreciated.