- Date Of Birth: March 17, 1945
- Date Of Death: October 14, 2021
- State: Florida
Earl Campbell Talbot, JR (Snook) passed away on October 14, 2021, after a brief illness at his home, in the presence of his family. Earl was born March 17, 1945, to Earl C. Talbot, Sr., and Tencie Talbot of Valparaiso, FL. Snook was preceded in death by his father (Earl, Sr.), mother (Tencie), wife (Vera), one sister (Dottie), and brother-in-law (John Sullivan). Survivors include his sisters Nelda “Cub” Sullivan, and Rhonda Ruckel (Stephen), and two daughters: Staci (Robbie) and Shelli (Jeremy). Grandchildren include Dylan (Sarah), Grant, Taylor, Gavin, Carly, and Jaiden. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and their families.
Snook’s early years were spent in Crestview, FL where his father Earl, Sr owned a grocery store prior to becoming the pioneer of the Okaloosa Gas District. Earl spoke often of traveling to his grandmother’s (Big Mama) house in Alabama. Earl graduated from Choctawhatchee High School in 1963. He attended Okaloosa-Walton Community College where he earned an Associate of Arts in Business (1966), before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in business for hotel management and finance from Florida State University in 1968.
Earl worked in the restaurant business from 1972-1980. He then worked for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement as a Programmer from 1981-1983. Earl spent 1983-1991 in Miami, FL where he worked as a System Specialist for Florida Power and Light. In 1991, Earl returned to Valparaiso, FL where he worked for Okaloosa Gas District as a warehouse supervisor. Earl and Vera reunited in 1993 at a 30-year high school reunion. They later married and enjoyed their life together until Vera passed away from complications of dementia in 2017. Earl retired from Okaloosa Gas in 1996 after surviving two brain aneurysms. He was also a survivor of prostate cancer and multiple hospitalizations where he nearly succumbed to his illnesses. His drive to beat the odds defied many grim medical situations, where he persevered to continue his journey in life.
Snook’s favorite hobby was woodworking, catching fish, and eating fish, whether saltwater or freshwater, he was always ready to go. While living in Miami he would be on the water much of his time off, where he loved fishing for his namesake fish, Snook. Upon returning to Valparaiso, he enjoyed much of his time saltwater and freshwater fishing. In his later years, as fishing became difficult for Earl, he looked forward to eating seafood at local restaurants or eating at home with family and playing board games.
