Shawn Snelson

Shawn Snelson, 61, of Springfield, MO passed away Saturday, February 21, 2026. He was born February 13, 1965, to William "Bill" and Patricia "Trish" Snelson in Newport, RI.

Shawn’s parents raised him with a love for music. His father was known to play acoustic guitar in local bands, so it came as no surprise when Shawn learned to play bass guitar. He joined a band and they played together around town at local bars. Shawn wrote and recorded several original songs. It was at band practice where he met, Carla, the love of his life.

Shawn was employed as an installation technician in the HVAC industry for 14 years before attending Vatterott College for his certification. He worked in HVAC for most of his life and ended his career by teaching the skills he had gathered to the students at MTI College for 7 1/2 years before his cancer made it difficult to get out and around. In his free time, he could be found cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs. He also enjoyed making friends with jumping spiders. He found them fascinating and liked to watch them go about their everyday business unbothered.

Shawn enjoyed being with his family and friends most of all. He and Carla have been raising their granddaughter, Lilly for 14 years and their granddaughter, Jasmine for the last 6 years. They both would make a point to say, “I love you” when the girls left in the morning for school and made sure to say it back any time the girls said it during the day. It was very important to Shawn that they knew they were loved.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his father-in-law, Kenneth H. Tharp.

He is survived by his wife, Carla, his son, Billy Snelson; his daughter, Kayla Snelson; two stepchildren, Jenny and Zack Evans; two granddaughters, Lilly Marshall and Jasmine Thompson; his grandson, Elijah Thompson; his twin brother, Shane Snelson; his mother-in-law, Pam Tharp; brother-in-law, Ron Tharp; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Midwest Cremation and Funeral Services of Springfield, MO.