Eric Brett Snell, a lifetime resident of Aberdeen and owner of Snell Crane Service, died of a brain aneurysm on Sept. 9, 2022, at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia. He was 55 years old.
Eric was born to Elmer “Doc” and Shirley Snell on Dec. 26, 1966, in Aberdeen, Washington. The youngest of four brothers, Eric attended Aberdeen schools and graduated from Aberdeen High School in 1985. He played football and All-Star baseball during his school years. The day after his high school graduation, Eric began working at Rognlin’s Inc, following his father’s footsteps in carpentry and the construction trade.
In 1991, Eric married the love of his life, Carrie (Calhoun) Stone. They were married for 31 years. He also gained a wonderful stepson, Andy Stone. In 1992, his daughter Haley was born, the pride and joy of Eric’s life. That same year, Eric changed his career path; he had a passion for cranes and purchased a boom truck and Snell Crane was born. Eric built up a successful business, and he was well-liked and respected by his colleagues and employees. As the family-owned business grew, he relocated the office and shop to Mud Bay in Olympia where it operates today. His wife Carrie and stepson Andy were instrumental in helping him with his company which has been in business for 30 years. In addition to Snell Crane, Eric was passionate about his second business, Doc Manufacturing, a patented high-rise material hoisting system that he named after his father, Doc Snell.
Eric was a friendly, outgoing person who always lived life to the fullest. He loved being around people and enjoyed nothing more than hosting gatherings for his family and friends. Eric enjoyed traveling to Montana and the East Coast to visit family and often spent time in Lake Chelan. He loved going to Las Vegas and Tubac, Arizona with dear friends and just recently purchased a home in Arizona with the intention of spending more time there. Since childhood, Eric spent every Labor Day holiday in South Bend with his beloved Aunt Shiela and Uncle Allen Lavinder. He loved the small-town celebration, and a lifetime of memories were made just hanging outside his uncle’s barber shop and visiting the people who came by.
Eric was an avid golfer and sports fan and a season ticket holder for the Seattle Seahawks. He loved his family and was a very proud father and grandfather. Over the years, he enjoyed watching his stepson Andy play baseball and loved watching his daughter Haley golf, and his nieces play soccer. Eric had a kind and generous nature and was an important father figure to six wonderful nieces that he helped raise as his own.
Eric was a member of the Grays Harbor Country Club and recently volunteered his time to make landscaping improvements, an activity he was enjoying up until his death.
Eric was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Shirley Snell and his brother Jeff Snell. He is survived by his loving wife Carrie of the family home in Aberdeen; his stepson Andy Stone of Aberdeen and grandchildren Toby and Presley; his daughter Haley (Derek) Wurzur and grandsons Hayden and Brooks of McCleary; brothers Terry (Joy) Snell of Annandale, Virginia and Bruce (Amy) Snell of Gig Harbor; nieces: Bri Tometich, Melody Chariez, Ali Morris, Alicia Morris, Lorena Morris and Najeli Morris, and their children; his aunt Shiela Lavinder and Uncle Allen, cousins Shelley and Floyd Plemmons; and many other nieces, nephews and cousins.
Eric was an organ donor and four people received the gift of his organs. A memorial service will be held on Oct. 8 at 12 p.m. at the Sam Benn gymnasium at Aberdeen High School. A reception will follow at the D & R Events Center downtown. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Central Park Fire Department, 6317 Olympia Hwy, Aberdeen, Washington 98520
