Obit of Snyder, James Frederick "Jim" - Oklahoma County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Gene Phillips 2 Oct 2005 Return to Oklahoma County Archives: http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/ok/oklahoma/oklahoma.html ========================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.html ========================================================================== Snyder, James Frederick "Jim" James Frederick 'Jim' Snyder passed from this earth on Monday, August 15, 2005 after a three month bout with cancer. Jim was born in McPherson, Kansas on September 28, 1929 to Howard and Hattie Street Snyder. He was raised in Hutchinson, Kansas where he enjoyed his school buddies, football, and music. In 1945 the family moved to Oklahoma City with Fleming Food Corporation. Jim graduated from Classen in 1947 and continued his education at the University of Oklahoma, graduating in 1951. He was an active member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, the director of Sooner Scandals, and a Cadet Colonel in the Air Force ROTC. He received the Outstanding Cadet Colonel award from General Dwight Eisenhower in 1950 and was proud to serve his country in the Air Force while stationed at Vance Air Force Base for two years. In 1952 Jim met and married the love of his life, Gloria Pat Harper. They had four children, fourteen grandchildren, and one great grandchild . Jim's family was his most prized possession. One of his strengths was his love for others especially his lifelong friends. In 1961, after business ventures in small stores in Britton, Oklahoma and home building, Jim opened Yukon IGA, later known as Snyder's Foods. The grocery store was expanded three times and sold after thirtynine years at Jim's retirement. Snyder's Foods had locations in Mustang, Cushing, Paul's Valley, Bethany, and Oklahoma City. Jim was named Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 1987 and H.B. Frank Citizen of the Year in 1993. He was the United States Business Administration Senior Small Business Entrepreneur of the year in 1980. Jim was a founding member of the Board of Directors of Farm Fresh Dairies and Bakeries and served on the boards of Yukon National Bank and Spanish Cove Retirement Village. Jim was a strong Christian who followed the Lord with a simple but sound faith which he demonstrated through innumerable contributions to local needs and charities. He will be remembered by many for his kindness and generosity. Jim was preceded in death by his mother and father and his beloved brother and sister, Howard Snyder Junior and Virginia Lee Snyder Fellers. Jim is survived by his wife, Pat Snyder of Yukon and their four children: James F. II 'Jim' and his wife, Linda and their three children, John, Hannah, and Tristan; Dr. Tom and his wife Susan of Enid and their four children, Patsy, Charles, Sally, and Clay; Kathy Whitson and her husband Rodney of San Diego and their four children, Michael, Trey, Emily, and Shannon Piagentini and her husband Dario and son, Dario Lucca; and Kim Noon Wedman of Yukon and her three children, Jack, Jessica, and Harper. Celebration of Life service will be held at eleven o'clock a.m. Thursday, August 18 2005 at Covenant Community Church, 2250 N. Mustang Rd., Yukon. Arrangements are under the direction of Yanda & Son Funeral Home, Yukon, OK. YANDA & SON FUNERAL HOME Yukon, OK 350-7101 Published in The Oklahoman on 8/16/2005. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Oklahoma County Archives: http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/ok/oklahoma/oklahoma.html