Thomas A. Albert Snyder Jr. Obituary
Thomas A. Snyder. Jr. was born on a Sunday August 27th 1944 to Thomas and LoRayne (Gillette) Snyder at Scotland, SD. His father Cpl Thomas Snyder was training at Camp Howze in Gainsville, Texas. His father received emergency furlough to come meet his new son before going overseas.
He was baptized and confirmed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, attending Sacred Heart during his grade school years, graduating from Parkston Public High School in 1962. After serving in the United States Air Force from 1962-1965. including one year overseas, Tom returned working as a manager at Farmers State Bank in Parkston. Moving to Sioux Falls he worked at Western Bank. He married Eunice Weiss and to this union 5 children were born. He started Snyder Trucking in Parkston. After the death of his father, he took over driving for Ag-Land Coop in Parkston. Moving to Watertown, SD he worked at Schweigers as manager.
Thomas met and married Mary (Hamman) and they moved to Montrose Co in 1998. He finished his life’s work at the Bureau of Reclamation as a purchasing agent in Montrose CO. In 2011 his open heart surgery ended his career. He probably would’ve worked until he was 100 years old if he had been given the opportunity.
A few interesting facts about Tom’s life is while in the Air Force located in Texas, he shook hands with President John Kennedy hours before JFK was assassinated. Tom LOVED music, especially Elvis and Old country classics. Giving Conway Twitty a ride From Milltown Island Park to the airport in Sioux Falls wasn’t the only singing legend he met. While traveling through the Nashville airport with his little granddaughter Kelsey, Dolly Parton walked over to him and commented on his beautiful baby. Thank you Kelsey for drawing Dolly over there with your pretty face. Tom’s feet didn’t touch the floor for months.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Snyder of Watertown, SD; his children: step-daughter, Jean Lemcke of Omaha, NE and her children Kristi, Kari and Kristopher; daughter, Janet Miller of Denver, CO and her daughter Kelsey of Eugene, OR; his sons, Jon Snyder (Kim) of Roseville, CA and children Angel, Andy and Anson. Joseph Snyder (Sabine) of Paris, France and children Aymeric and Flavie. James Snyder (Ruth) of Mission Viejo, CA and children Amelia, Olivia and Ethan. Jeffrey Snyder (Susan) of Dell Rapids, SD and children Nickolas and Colton. He is also survived by Mary’s children, Jay Gregerson of Watertown, SD and his son Kadin, Clint Gregerson of Bismarck, ND, Desirae Snyder (James) of Waubay, SD and their children JoZee, Katie and Marley; siblings, Terry Snyder Sioux Falls, SD, Tim Snyder (Joann) of Parkston, SD and their children Scott, Renee, Teri, James and Amy, Roberta Polreis (Dennis) of Parkston, SD and their son, Daniel.
He would be humbled to know so many people cared about him. A huge thank you goes out to his many family and friends that in his last days called and sent messages to him. His sense of humor was with him till the end.
Tom was a wonderful person who could put anyone at ease. He’d always be the first to reach out a hand and never left you without a smile. He would’ve given the shirt off his back to help anyone. His loving heart and laughter will be missed as his quick wit never disappointed. He loved eating out and enjoyed giving the waitresses a hard time. He was a man of positive thinking and promise. Trusting the Lord had a plan for him he lived a good life.
There were many little ones that called Tom Grandpa. He loved it. They included LaKayla and Logan Sheets of Delta, CO. Elijah and Everrett Wouters of Delta, CO. Nathan, Lily and Jaxon McWilliams of Montrose, CO. Caden Cloos of Watertown, SD was the latest that claimed Tom. He also had 3 cats he loved Elvis Purrsley, Winston Whiskers and Saturday Socks.
To honor Tom's wishes, there will be no services.
A celebration of life will be held in the summer months. He was cremated and burial will be at a later date at Serenity Gardens in Montrose, CO.
In lieu of flowers, memorials will be given to macular degeneration research.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Arrangements by Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel, http://www.wightandcomes.com.
