James Lawrence Snell, 97, of Bethany, died March 20 in Oklahoma City. He was born to Jonathan Lawrence Snell and Frances Jones Blagg Snell in Greenville, TX on Jan. 12, 1914, and moved to Bethany, OK in the 30s to attend college; he had lived in the state since that time. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he received his undergraduate degree from Southern Nazarene University and his graduate degree from the University of Oklahoma. A former high school teacher and basketball coach, he retired from Southern Nazarene University where he had taught for nearly three decades in the School of Business. He also was a member of several professional organizations during his life. Upon retirement from teaching at SNU, he became a Realtor, founded the Northwest School of Real Estate, and was later associated with A-A-A Realtors. His love of flying had led him to form the Aviation Club while teaching at SNU, and he transmitted that love to his son. He also enjoyed horses and had owned several in years past. At age 80, he began volunteering at the OKC airport and joyfully served there until age 90. Until his death, he was both the oldest living graduate and teacher of the SNU School of Business, which had honored him in 2008. Lawrence was a long-time member of Bethany First Church of the Nazarene where he had served as an usher for 37 years. In 1941, he married Gladys Mitchell and after 65 years of marriage, she predeceased him in 2006. He was also predeceased by sisters Willie Mae Howell, Mary Corbin, and Velma Briscoe. Survivors include his brother, Rev. Howard Snell, of Enid, and wife, Mary Evon; daughter, Edith Thurmond; son, Stan Snell and wife, Teresa; grandchildren, Ashley Warren, Roger Thurmond, Andy Snell, and Jenni George; eight great grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Friday, March 25, 2:00 p.m. at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene, Bethany, OK, with interment at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Oklahoma City, OK. Memorials can be made to All Souls Episcopal Church (Daughters of the King Chapter), 6400 N. Pennsylvania, Oklahoma City, OK, 73116, and Southern Nazarene University School of Business, 6739 N.W. 39th Expressway, Bethany, OK, 73008.