Texas veteran snake handler dies from bite at Freer Rattlesnake Roundup

A rattlesnake handler died after he was bitten by a snake at the Rattlesnake Roundup in Freer on Saturday.

Eugene De Leon Sr., 60, of the Snake Busters Snake Handlers in Freer was bitten by a snake while performing at the annual show Saturday afternoon. The bite came four years after his son, Eugene De Leon, was bitten by a two-foot long rattlesnake on the inside of his left thumb.

De Leon was not only a veteran snake handler, but a member of the Freer Volunteer Fire Department and a custodian for Freer High School, according to his obituary.

"The love and dedication he displayed for his community was witnessed every day from being a member of the Freer Vol. Fire Department to being a call away for local residents to assist with removing snakes from their property," the Freer Chamber of Commerce said. "He was always ready to help. We will never forget his excitement during Roundup time, from doing interviews with television stations to appearing on televised Wildlife shows, he did it all."

De Leon was taken to a Corpus Christi hospital, where he later died of his injuries.

Read more: https://www.gosanangelo.com/story/news/2022/05/02/texas-snake-handler-dies-bite-freer-rattlesnake-roundup/9616502002/

I went to the rattlesnake roundup in Freer when I was a kid. I didn't realize how much rattlesnakes stink when a large number are gathered together in a pen.