A day to remember

Saturday, February 26 was a beautiful day in Olney, Texas. It was idyllic for the memorial service of Leland Snow, founder of Air Tractor, Inc. who had passed on the Sunday before, February 20, while jogging. 

Five shiny new Air Tractors were on hand for the Missing Man formation fly-by. The seating was set up in one of the large hangars. Inside, a stage was front and center with a large projection screen, professional audio, flowers and Leland Snow’s Baby Grand piano. 

While people from all over the world: Australia, South America, Spain, Canada, local Olneyians and others signed one of the numerous guest books, a slide presentation of Leland Snow’s life was presented. The pictures included the early years when he built his first aircraft, flying in Nicaragua, to building Air Tractors in Olney, along with many personal photos with his wife, Nancy, children, Kristin and Kara, weddings, vacations...

Jim Caraway, once an ag-operator from Breckenridge, Texas and now a minister, officiated the service. The service started with an inspiring video of Mr. Snow’s life, “A Salute to Excellence”. Afterwards, presentations were made by various people whose lives were affected by Leland Snow and how this related to the great man he was. 

Between the presentations, Mr. Snow’s sister, Marihelen Snow, played Intermezzo in A Major, Johannes Brahms, on his Baby Grand piano. It was a favorite piano piece of Mr. Snow’s that he had taught himself to play through memorization; he could not read music. 

As the service ended, I realized what had happened seven days earlier. It was not enough to “know” Leland Snow had died. The memorial service brought the realization home to me. I have no doubts Air Tractor, Inc. will remain viable. I have spoken with the family and others that have indicated Mr. Snow was a man of planning. He believed in orderliness. The Air Tractor team has been in place for many years, even though he worked daily at the factory. He legacy will continue, just as will his aircraft. 

With the hangar door opening, people stepped outside into the Texas sunshine to watch the Missing Man salute to one of the greatest aircraft builders to live. A man that changed the face of ag-aviation forever, taking it from underpowered piston biplanes to sophisticated turboprop, monoplanes specifically designed for the job of professional and safe aerial applications.

As the five Air Tractors came toward the crowd, lights and smokers turned on, passing overhead the western side aircraft of the v-formation peeled off to the west for the ultimate salute to a pilot; may Leland Snow rest in peace.