Jack Duane Snyder

My husband, Jack D. Snyder, Sr, 86 years of age, born in St. Johns, Michigan, first born of Clayton & Agnes (Acre) Snyder passed away on August 4, 2009. Jack was dearly loved by his family; Rebecca (Tom) Voorhees, Suzanne (Dennis) Clark, Jack D. Snyder, Jr & Melanie J. Snyder. He leaves behind 7 Grandchildren and 19 Great Grandchildren. He was a WW II & Korean veteran, serving in the Navy at the Panama Canal Zone, walked the Navy Pier in NY, then in the Navy Reserve, the Coast Guard & finally the U S Air Force serving in Alaska. We moved to Arizona in 1955, with Jack taking a position designing signs for the Highway Department, later known as A.D.O.T. Jack oversaw the first atomic sign in the world at the corner of AZ-80 & 19th Avenue and received a certificate from the US Atomic Energy Commission for valuable assistance provided to Nuclear USA for peaceful uses of atomic energy, /s/ Geneva, Switzerland, September 1971. Jack would take runs at night to check out the signs and when the breakaway signs were hit, he would head up North to I 40. He took his job very seriously and he also was very much involved in working to encourage his family in their schooling and endeavors. He was involved with his sons' Weblos along with the problems of raising a mentally challenged daughter. We built a canoe and took the children out on the Lake. He continued with his education to pass his Engineering degree. This was accomplished in Feb. 1984. The children when in High School were going through difficult times during Nam era. He was always there for helping in areas of his expertise of advising them with mathematics as he was taking it in college along with working with the daughters as he too was learning the new methods of modern math. A History teacher had a Nazi flag up in Suzanne's room, and no American flag, which Jack took to task. Jack was a true believer in love of God & Country. He did not like the Pledge of Allegiance being dropped, nor the fact that God was being removed from the country. A veteran of many years of service, but unable to complete his years, he was terminated due to his Auto Immune Disease. The family had multiple trips to the mountains, the fellows dug for gold and panned. We went to various area and especially our summer vacations up at Treats' Gordon Canyon Ranch on the Rim. The children were loving their time in nature and grew up loving the fact their Dad took so much time to please and educate them in the ways of life thru family get togethers picnics & even so much as walking thru the snow, while the valley would be basking in sunshine. He left ADOT in December 1983 due to his health condition, we continued to live in Tempe and then in 1989, we moved to Overgaard, AZ living here for 20 years and feeling the closest to Heaven that we could ever get After his retirement he passed his Civil Engineering degree, which was a feather in his cap. He was called by various contractors to come back to work, but denied the opportunities due to his health. After his open heart surgery in 1995, he had to give up his Ham Radio due to his Pacemaker. His Call Name K F 7 D J now a silent key. Both Jack & I belong to the American Legion, as we are both veterans He was active in the APEA & a delegate several times. He also was a member of the Professional Engineering Association. An ADOT retiree, and other organizations. Knowing and loving my Jack all these years and participating in his life, has been a great experience of love & devotion. He has been the love of my life. I have been enriched with his presence. Your love will remain in my soul. Your wife, Marijune (Heminover) Snyder. Sisters & brother in Michigan are: Betty (Estol) Swem, Wendell (June) Snyder, Karen (Tom) Domanski, Lois (Everett) Downing. Jack was predeceased by brothers, Roland, Gaylord & a Nephew, Dennis Snyder, and sister in laws Birthe & Frances Snyder. He leaves multiple nieces, nephews that all loved him dearly.