Marion Lawrence Snowbarger died peacefully on January 17, 2025 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was born June 30, 1933 on his family's farm near Sylvia, Kansas to Edward and Mary Snowbarger.

Marion was known for his love for Jesus, devotion to family and authenticity. He influenced countless individuals through his warm smile, gentle spirit and wise counsel.

Marion had two older siblings, Willis and Velma, and a younger sister, Kathy. His younger years centered around farm life and attending school. Marion's family was active in the Pleasant Hill Church of the Nazarene and he would go on to serve the church in various lay capacities throughout his life.

Marion graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History from Bethany Peniel in 1955, the last graduating class before the school became Bethany Nazarene College. It was during his college years that he met Wilma Fay Montgomery. They fell in love and Marion proposed to Wilma in the timber of his family's farm. They were married in 1955 at Trinity Church of the Nazarene, Oklahoma City, OK, Wilma's home church.

After their marriage, Marion and Wilma lived in New York City where Marion was stationed during his service in the Army and Wilma worked as a secretary. They enjoyed living near the beach and fondly remember a road trip through New England.

They settled in Oklahoma City, where in 1959 Marion started working for IBM, which became a 30-year career at the company. In 1990, he began a new career at Southern Nazarene University, his alma mater, in library acquisitions and eventually, the Archivist of the University.

For 18 years they attended Norman Grace Church of the Nazarene, where Marion served in roles including music director, Sunday school superintendent and board member. Their family relocated to Bethany, OK and began attending Bethany First Church of the Nazarene in 1975. Marion served for 10 years as a lay pastor and teacher of a young married couple's class, sang in the choir, served on the Church Board and volunteered at the ROC, Compassionate Ministries.

In 2020, Marion and Wilma relocated to Tulsa and after Wilma's passing, Marion stayed in the home with Larry and Linda. Core Church in Broken Arrow, OK, became his home church where he attended the Legacy Core Life Group and volunteered with ABBA Compassionate Ministries Manna Food Pantry. In April, 2024, Marion relocated to the Towne Village Retirement Center where he was involved with the Choir, led the prayer time and organized regular Wahoo games each weekend. He was quickly integrated into his new community of friends and neighbors.

Marion was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma; his parents; and siblings, Willis and Velma. He is survived by his sister, Kathy Emmert of Lake Jackson, Texas; his sister-in-law, Delma Tracy, of Seal Beach, CA; two sons, Larry Snowbarger (wife Linda) of Tulsa, and Tim Snowbarger of Laramie, Wyoming; five grandchildren, Austin (wife Martha), Megan (husband David), Gage (wife Kaylie), Kenzie (husband Davis), and Cooper (wife Abby); four great-grandchildren, Hallie, Bennett, Emma and Devyn; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

Family visitation will be Friday, February 7, from 6:00-8:00pm at Mercer-Adams Funeral Service in Bethany, OK. A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 8, 10:00am at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene followed by a burial at Bethany Cemetery for family only .

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made to the SNU Fund, Marion's alma mater. Gifts can be made online at www.snu.edu/give.