Raymond D. Snell

Raymond D. Snell

Sun Lakes, AZ

Raymond D. Snell, 90, formerly of Cedar Rapids, died Monday, Dec. 15, 2025.

Raymond Dean Snell, lovingly known as “Ray” or “Gramps,” passed away on December 15, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, and unforgettable stories. He was born on January 7, 1935, in Burr Oak, IA, to Roy and Dorothy Snell.

Ray lived life with a sense of adventure and humor that drew people to him. A lifelong jokester, he was quick with a smile or a playful tease. He loved to travel and embraced every opportunity to see new places, always returning home with tales to tell and memories to share.

Ray was a proud veteran during the Korean Conflict who served his country with honor, a chapter of his life he carried with quiet pride and deep respect.

Ray and Bev married in 1956; shortly after they were married, Ray got a job at Rockwell Collins. They moved to Cedar Rapids, IA, where they purchased a newly built home in Cedar Hills. They lived in that home raising their 4 children until Bev passed away in

2007. Ray lived there a few more years after Bev’s death but it was too quiet and empty without Bev. He made the hard decision to sell their home and move to Mesa Arizona to be with his kids and grandkids. Ray retired from Rockwell Collins in 1990, they purchased a Park Model in the Good Life Resort in Mesa, AZ, where they had many winters of fun with the great friends they made in the Resort. He worked for the City of Cedar Rapids in the summers after retiring from Collins for about 10 years maintaining the gardens downtown. 

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 50 years, Beverly Snell; his son, Gary Snell (Valerie); and his daughter-in-law, Nanette Snell (Dan).

Ray is survived by his children: daughter Kim Kalina (Loren) of Sun Lakes, AZ; son Dan Snell of Phoenix, AZ; daughter Beth Wyldes (Howard) of Lost Nation, IA and daughter-in-law Valerie Snell of Chandler, AZ. He was a devoted grandfather to Brett Kalina (Jessica), of Phoenix, AZ, Shawntel Ojeda (Ernesto) of Tempe, AZ, Krista Leuning (Tyler) of Chandler, AZ, Taya Dragoon (Adam) of Virginia Beach, VA; April Chakaravarty (Chakki) of Buckeye, AZ; Travis Vaske (Samantha) of Donahue, IA; and Chase Towne (Morgan) of Grand Mound, IA. He also cherished his step-grandchildren: Junior Williamson (Patricia), Mallory Williamson, and Justin Williamson, all of the Phoenix, AZ area. Also survived by his siblings Richard Snell of (Sue) of Crystal, MN, Roger Snell (Tana) of Minnetonka, MN, Marjorie Kjosa (Ordell) of Castalia, IA and Ronald Snell (Helen) of Decorah, IA.

Ray was blessed with 18 great-grandchildren and great-stepgrandchildren, each of whom brought him immense joy and pride.

Above all, Ray will be remembered for his big heart, his playful spirit, and the way he made everyone feel welcome and loved. His laughter will echo in the memories of those who knew him, and his stories will be told for years to come.

Thank you to Ascension Hospice for loving on Ray for the last 6 months. He loved each of you.

Services to be determined.