Bom-Wrapper

Al Snipes Al Snipes
In Memory of
Al M.
Snipes Jr.
1921 - 2017
Memorial Candle Tribute From
Vondel Smith Mortuary
"We are honored to provide this Book of Memories to the family."
View full message >>>

Obituary for Al M. Snipes Jr.

Al M.  Snipes Jr.
Vondel Smith Mortuary at South Lakes 4000 S. W. 119th Oklahoma City, OK 73173

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma City Community College Foundation, or the Al M and Rebecca Snipes Endowment Fund of the Oklahoma Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 from 4-8 PM with the family present to greet friends at the funeral home

Memorial services will be held at Southern Hills Baptist Church at 11:00 on Wednesday, January 3, 2018.


Alfred Marshall Snipes, Jr. passed away on December 29, 2017 at the age of 96. He was born on April 11, 1921 in Cameron, North Carolina to Alfred Marshall and Bessie McLaurin Snipes. He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Rebecca Davis Snipes, and his 10 siblings.

After graduating from Cameron High School, Al worked in Washington DC, helping to construct the Pentagon. When World War II began, he served in the Army Air Force and was stationed in Beaver Falls, PA where he trained as a pilot and attended college. During his time in the service, he became an accomplished boxer and was on the US Army boxing team when stationed at both Kessler and Hendricks Fields. There he won numerous championships including the Florida Golden Gloves. At the end of the war, he moved to Oklahoma and entered the grocery business in the Capitol Hill area. During that time, he continued his amateur boxing career as part of the legendary Oklahoma City boxing team where he won the United States Mid Atlantic and Oklahoma Golden Gloves championships.

While attending Capitol Hill Baptist Church, he met and married Rebecca Davis in 1947. They made their home in South Oklahoma City where they raised their three children. In 1955, he left the grocery business and entered the insurance industry where he remained for over 40 years.

Al devoted much of his time to civic and political activities. He was instrumental in organizing the Capitol Hill Rotary Club and the Capitol Hill Branch of the YMCA. He also held a strong interest in politics and worked tirelessly and diligently during his lifetime to organize and expand the Re¬publican Party in Oklahoma. In politics, he served in many leadership capacities, attended numerous national conventions, ran dozens of political campaigns, and was frequent¬ly recognized for his contributions to the development and growth of the party. Additionally, he was instrumental in the founding of Oklahoma City Community College where he served four terms on the Board of Regents. He was also an active participant in the growth and development of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and in 1995, The Al M. and Rebecca Snipes Endowment Fund was established to send inner city kids to summer camp.

In 2006, the Oklahoma Heritage Association published his biography and he was named as one of 100 most influential Businessmen in Oklahoma History by the Journal Record. Al was especially devoted to his family. Whether it was teaching his kids to water ski, taking them on a bike or jeep ride, or playing baseball in the backyard, Al loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and they loved being with him. For many years, family time was spent at the Snipes home at Buckhorn on Lake Tenkiller.

He also was devoted to his extended family of siblings, nieces, and nephews. He spent years researching his family roots and was a founding member of the Snipes Family of America genealogy group. Al was a member of Capitol Hill Baptist Church and later, Southern Hills Baptist Church. In 2001, he married long-time family friend, Shirley Shire Olson. Together they continued to be active in church and community activities, enjoying the company of numerous friends and family members. He leaves a rich legacy to his family, friends, and community. He will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Rebecca Davis Snipes, and his 10 siblings.

He is survived by his wife Shirley Olson Snipes,

His three children,

Marshall Snipes & his wife Carla

William R. Snipes & his wife Alden

Becky Snipes Maddux,

Nine grandchildren

Eight great grandchildren

numerous nieces, nephews & the extended Olson family



To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Al M. Snipes Jr., please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Order Flowers
Share by: