St. Elizabeth Ann Seton playground becomes part of Aaron Snook’s legacy

Versatile as he was, Aaron Snook couldn’t tackle every part of every project. However, even if he couldn’t do the work himself, he always knew someone who could. 

That was because Aaron spent much of his 41 years on Earth forming and strengthening bonds of trust and love, say his widow, Meagan Snook, and his mother, Linda Snook Davison.

And with the dedication and blessing of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School’s new playground, which includes refurbished sports fields, many of the people on whom Aaron relied have helped confirm his reason for confidence in them. 

“Aaron had a way of getting things done,” Linda said at a dedication ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 18 for playground benefactors. “He generally knew how to fix something, but if he didn’t, he knew a guy.”

Looking around at those who had donated funds and made significant in-kind contributions to provide the west Wichita parish school with an impressive new playground and playing fields, Linda identified them as members of those chosen ranks. 

“We always joked that he had a guy for everything,” she said. “It is obvious that all of you are his guys.”

That was reflected in how Aaron’s ability to build and maintain things extended to friendships, Meagan considers, noting that although her husband was a contractor and businessman, he was first and foremost someone who relished connecting with others.

After Aaron’s passing, she relates, many of those people put together a book that recounted many of their favorite memories about him. “I have been reading through it and didn’t realize how many people he touched,” Meagan said. “He was larger than life and made his presence known whenever he walked into a room.”

And that wasn’t merely because, at 6-foot-4 inches tall and about 280 pounds, Aaron wasn’t much smaller than an NFL offensive tackle. He was known for exuberant greetings, checking up on people and taking time to stay connected with them, she describes. 

Those friends have reciprocated, Meagan notes, reporting that the family has mailed out more than 450 thank-you notes to playground benefactors, who also continue other shows of love and respect. “People tell me on the 14th of each month that they’re praying for me,” she said. “They still reach out and ask if they can help me with the kids or something else.”

Filling a need

Having served on SEAS’ Spirit Night Committee, Meagan said she already knew the school was raising money to replace a playground that had been in place for more than a couple of decades, while at the same time, the sports field also desperately needed to be regraded. After Aaron’s tragic death in a December 2024 hunting accident, it seemed fitting to establish a memorial fund toward upgrading the playground for the parish of which he had been a lifelong member, and where his children Levi, Elliotte, and Logan, attend school.

Although the initial goal was simply to redo the playground equipment, Meagan says, the outpouring of contributions and pledges quickly made it apparent that they could think bigger. They turned to Aaron’s brother, Chris, and friend and fellow contractor, Kurt Cornejo, to coordinate the effort.  

As Linda recounted during the dedication, they sought to transform the school’s outdoor grounds. “It was like trying to fit puzzle pieces together,” she said. “Where can we fit in an artificial turf field and a gaga ball pit? It took lots of coordination that began as soon as school let out (for the summer).”

“The infield on the softball field was so low they had to haul in 10 loads of dirt,” Linda said. “We got it all level by May.”

The rest of the project continued apace, despite an exceptionally wet Kansas summer that repeatedly frustrated coordinated construction schedules. 

The result is a recreational area that will not only serve the school, but people throughout the neighborhood, Linda and Meagan say. And, Meagan adds, it also attests to the generosity of people in the area.

“We are such a special diocese,” she concluded. “This highlights the stewardship way of life.”