James C. Snell

James C. Snell of Manheim, PA, age 83, went home to be with Jesus on Monday, December 15th, 2025 after prolonged kidney dialysis and other health issues. He was surrounded by family and friends while passing peacefully. He was the loving husband of his wife and best friend, Barbara Keller Snell, for nearly sixty years. He was a father to his beloved son, Kevin Snell of Gainesville, VA and wife, Kelly and beloved daughter, Holly Snell of Laguna Niguel, CA. He was so proud of his four grandchildren, Kyler and Kamren Snell of Austin, TX, Chase and Peyton Snell of Gainesville, VA. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clair and Mary Jane Snell of Lebanon, PA and his brother, David Snell of Tampa, FL.

Jim was born in Lebanon, PA on February 13, 1942, graduated from Lebanon HS in 1960 and Lebanon Valley College in 1964. He served in the Navy as an Officer JG and met his wife, Barbara on a blind date and they married on Oct. 8, 1966. Jim’s first employment was in Gaithersburg, MD with Bechtel as a nuclear engineer and then hired by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in Germantown, MD where he traveled to Moscow to teach a class on nuclear power plants, and was part of the investigative team on TMI in Middletown. He retired in 2004 from the Dept.of Energy.

He loved to research World War II history and built model ships as his hobby. He was president of MC Model Boat Club in Gaithersburg, MD. He restored two 1966 Ford Mustangs which were his pride and joy. Since 1972, Jim enjoyed traveling with Barb to Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and their most favorite trip was Rome, Italy. After retirement, Jim and Barb moved to Manheim, PA in 2005. He was a member of Trinity ECC Church in Manheim and had served on the Steward and Executive Boards. Jim loved to study scripture and taught several classes on Ecclesiastics while he lived in Germantown, MD.

A memorial service and interment will be held in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in early Spring of 2026 with full military honors. He had an amazing life and will be missed by his family and friends. “Well done good and faithful servant.”