Leslie Ronald Adair 1914-1951

The tenth child born to John Washington Adair and Cynthia Jane Penrod was Leslie Ronald. His nickname was Snooks. He was born in Pinetop on May 8, 1914. He married Mildred Lilly on March 1, 1934 in Snowflake, Arizona. Mildred is the daughter of Wallace John Lilly and Pauline Coplan. They lived in Pinetop, and with the help of John Adair and Wallace Lilly they built their own house, including some of the furniture.

Snooks worked for the Arizona State Highway Department driving a truck and operating equipment. He also worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps, or C.C.C. Camps, building roads, bridges, parks, and anything else used on public land.

Snooks boxed for money and was very good at it. One time his opponent did not show up for a match and Snooks asked the crowd if anyone would like to fight him. A big Indian volunteered to fight and the Indian won. There were times during boxing matches that Snooks' manager would throw the towel in, and he would throw it out. Harry Branch, a family friend, wanted to train him, but Snooks spent very little time in training.

He had a drinking problem as did many members of the family. Despite his drinking, he never raised a hand to his wife or children. He loved his kids, all seven of them: Delbert William, who was named after his Uncle Dell, Cleo, Gwendolyn, Ronald Edward, Ina Clair, Thelma Jean, and Lawrence Douglas. Snooks died on February 14, 1951, at the young age of thirty-six, in the Arizona State Hospital while recovering from alcoholism. Mildred was left with the task of raising six children, ranging from four to sixteen years of age.

Please feel free to contact Delbert Adair Jr., grandson of Leslie (Snooks) Adair at the following address: dtadair@att.net

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