Submitted by Family
Ralph Albert Snavely, III of Fairfax, Okla., formerly of Mico, Texas, passed away April 21, 2025, in Tulsa, Okla., at the age of 72. He was born January 12, 1953, at Ladd AFB, Alaska, to Ralph Albert Snavely, Jr. and Charlene Mary Horn Snavely.
Ralph III graduated from Central Catholic High School and Southwest Texas State. As he continued studies at the University of Texas at San Antonio, he found new adventure at the Center for Archaeology Research (CAR), offering exciting explorations. Much of the time, Ralph was in the field, excavating local and remote sites, Baker Cave, Alamo Plaza, Missions, and Acequia under Joske’s parking lot, sites in Belize, the Yucatan, and ritual caves of Mexico projects. In addition to his archaeological expeditions, he found time for his pastimes of hunting, canoeing, fishing and some incidental surveying for “stone tools” and evidence of ancient human activity.
Ralph was a proud member of the Osage Nation. As a young man, he was brought into the Inlonshka at Grayhorse and he looked forward to the Dances each June. He was thankful that he could spend his later years in the Osage Nation surrounded by his Osage culture and family. Friends and family will remember him for his easy manner, thoughtful humor, being ready to help by giving his time and expertise in any situation, having a compassion for others and a heart of gold. Ralph, Sa-Toa-Stoca- Nee, is the grandson of original allottee Alberta Mac Keeler Snavely.
Survivors include his daughter, Sara Scowden (Blake) of Hot Springs Village, Ark.; sister, Sandra Snavely of Castroville; nephews, Jackson Prentiss (Barbara Armstrong) and Charles Prentiss (Jennifer Perez); one great niece; two great nephews; and numerous other relatives and friends.
Ralph III was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Allyce Prentiss; and son, Samuel Tallchief Snavely.
A visitation was held on May 1, 2025, at the Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home with a Eulogy that evening.
Interment was held May 2, 2025, at Sunset Memorial Park in San Antonio.
Memorials may be made in Ralph’s memory to the charity of your choice.
