Jesse Ray Snavely, Jr., passed away on Friday afternoon, August 28, 2009 at the Good Samaritan Nursing Center in Mott at the age of 96. He retired in 1976 after 34 years as a depot-agent for the Milwaukee Railroad.


Jesse R. Snavely was born February 14, 1913 in Livingston, Montana, to Jesse R. Snavely, Sr. and Emma Blanche Snyder Snavely. Jesse was the younger of two children. Jesse Jr. grew up in Livingston, Terry and Miles City, MT and graduated with the Class of 1933 in Miles City.


Jesse's father was a Signal Supervisor on the Northern Pacific Railroad between Livingston, MT and South Heart, ND from 1912-1948, retiring in 1948 in Billings, MT.


Jesse Jr. was also a railroad man, working as an Agent-Telegraph Operator for the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroads [also known as the Milwaukee Road] from 1942 until he retired in 1976. He worked most of his railroad career on the Milwaukee Road branch-lines in South Dakota and North Dakota, but he was also the railroad agent on the Main Line at Haynes and Scranton, ND.


Jesse and his wife Ruth Field Snavely (1921 - 1991) lived in LaPlant, SD from 1942 to 1946 where they made some life-long friends. Jesse and Ruth, and by now two small children, Les and Sherrill, moved to Trail City, SD where Jesse was the Agent-Operator for the Railroad.


In 1949, they moved their family of four children, which now included Paula and Jan, to the town of Leith, ND. In Leith, Jesse was the mayor, sometime city marshal, School Board member, and the Railroad depot agent. Ruth and Jesse also operated the movie theater and a grocery store in Leith. Their four children attended school in Leith.


In 1956, the Leith School was consolidating with the Carson School and the Snavelys moved to the city of Mott. Jesse was the depot agent in Mott for many years, retiring in 1976. Jesse was always promoting his community, serving as a Director of the Mott Boosters Group in 1973. Retirement gave Ruth and Jesse time for nationwide travel, his carpentry, their bridge tournaments, and his collections.


Jesse, a longtime Mason, regretted being one of the very last of a long list of friends in Mott. He kept a file of obituaries; he was hanging onto the memories of over 97 family friends.


He is preceded in death by his parents; his only sister, Mildred Kuni; his wife Ruth; daughters, Sherrill and Paula; and his grandson Hamilton Snavely.


He is survived by his two sons; Les Snavely [Marie] of Bowman, ND; and Jan Snavely [Susan] of Clara City, MN, two grandchildren; Sarah Snavely of Bowman, ND and Patricia North of MS; one great-grandson, James North, numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and life-long friends.


Memorials to Jesse Snavely can be made to the Bowman Regional Library, in Bowman, ND.


As per Jesse's request cremation has taken place and there will be no memorial service.