James “Jim” Irvin Snook, 83, passed away on Jan. 31, 2023, in Colorado Springs, Colo. He was born on Nov. 14, 1939, in Fruita, Colo., to John Park Snook and Elizabeth (Wood) Snook.
Jim was a resident of Alamosa, Colo., for 36 years and was a State Farm Insurance agent, as well as a Rehabilitation Counselor for the State of Colorado.
While in the San Luis Valley, Jim was active in the 4-H horse show program. After retirement Jim served in the Colorado State Legislature.
Jim graduated from Fruita High School in 1957 and had a degree in vocational agriculture from Colorado State University. He taught classes in Fairplay, Colo., and De Beque, Colo.
After moving to the Denver area Jim was the Private Treaty Bull Sales Manager for the National Western Stock Show for 13 years. He loved meeting the stock breeders who came from all over the nation.
Jim had a servant’s heart and dearly loved people of all walks of life. He never met a stranger and could strike up a conversation with anyone. He told stories of his days as a sheepherder, an oil field worker and horse trainer.
He is preceded in death by his father and mother, sister Jayne Weldon, brother Jack Snook, daughter Juli Rae Guinn, and granddaughter Madison Paige Scalzo.
Jim is survived by Carolyn, his wife of 33 years. JJ (Liz) Snook of Aurora, Colo., Joel (Kelsey) Snook of Wiggins, Colo., Eric (Becky) Kaiser and David (Kim) King of Colorado Springs, Colo., Deanna Scalzo of Gillette, WY, 24 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Celebration of life service will be held Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, at 10 a.m. in Grand Junction, Colo., at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary, with burial in Elmwood Cemetery in Fruita, Colo.
