Michael Dennis Snyder

Michael was born June 24, 1946 in Rock Hill, South Carolina to the late William Edward Snyder and Martha Geneva Thompson. In addition, he was predeceased by his brother, Col. William Wayne Snyder (USAF).

He is survived by his loving, devoted wife of 30 years, Charlotte Tyler Snyder. He is also survived by his sister, Patsy Snyder Jackson (Joe) of Simpsonville, SC; sister-in-law, Carol Sprawls Snyder of Myrtle Beach, SC; brothers-in-law, Duke Tyler, Walter Tyler (Laurie) and Tim Tyler (Glenda); nieces, Lisa Snyder Freedman (Barry), Kimberly Weber Carter (Barrett), Maura Weber Thompson (Chad) and Brook Tyler Price; nephews, William Snyder (Michelle), Trey Weber (Bethany), Owen Tyler (Kevin Varnadore), Brian Tyler (Cindy), Andy Tyler (Nina), David Tyler (Aimee), Chase Poston (Emily) and Dana Tyler; great nephews, Rhett Freedman, Bryce Freedman, Grant Freedman, J.B. Carter and River Michael Tyler; great nieces, Anna Catherine Weber, Annalise Carter, Eden Thompson and great niece and Godchild, Beaux Corrine Tyler.

In addition to Mike’s surviving relatives, he was very close to so many friends who he considered his extended family. Although Mike did not have any children, he had a special place in his heart for Dub Rountree and Drew Chavous. Mike was a big influence in their lives. Mike’s friends ranged from his Kappa brothers from high school to his Lake Murray neighbors to his Port St. Lucie motor home and motorcycle buddies. Mike was happiest when he was with his family and friends or doing something for them.

Mike graduated from Rock Hill High School in 1964. After high school, Mike attended the University of South Carolina, Lancaster until joining the US Army Reserves where he attended Officer Training School in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Mike was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the US Army in 1966. After his time on active duty, Mike returned to the University of South Carolina and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1971. Mike was also a Shriner and life member Mason.

After graduation from his beloved University of South Carolina, Mike was a very successful businessman. After working for a number of years at Weisz Graphics Co. with his friend and mentor, Fred Johnston, Mike started his own business, Premier Graphics. Mike molded Premier Graphics into a very successful company to the point that he was able to sell it and retire at the young age of 55.

After retiring, Mike was able to devote his time to his family, friends and his many hobbies and activities, of which he was so passionate, including boating, golfing, fishing, traveling in his motor home and long motorcycle group rides. Mike took many long trips with his friends in his motor home, even crisscrossing the United States at one time. During these trips, Mike and Charlotte went out west with friends in six other motor homes with motorcycles in tow. These were trips of a lifetime that most people dream about, and the memories of these trips often brought Mike and Charlotte to fond tears recalling those happy and adventuresome times.

Mike was also very interested in smoking BBQ (earning the title of Pit Master in 2013) and would spend many hours smoking and preparing BBQ, Canadian bacon and his special sausage while always listening to beach music, which reminded him so much of the early Kappa dance days which he loved. Mike was continually giving BBQ to his friends and family and was so pleased when they enjoyed it.

Mike spent countless happy hours fishing on Lake Murray with Charlotte’s dad and loved to “cook up” their daily catch. As much as Mike loved summers on Lake Murray, he really did not like winter and cold weather, which led him and Charlotte to the routine of spending every winter in their motor home in Port St. Lucie, Florida where they developed an entirely new circle of friends with whom Mike was so close until the end.

The ability to develop a circle of friends wherever he went was Mike’s most admirable trait. The most important thing in Mike’s life, outside of his beloved Charlotte and family, was his friends. It started with the “Kappas”, a group of guys he met and became best friends with in middle and high school. Mike was a founding member of the Kappas, which was formed in 1962 when most of the guys were juniors at Rock Hill High School. Mike and the Kappas were entrepreneurs even before they knew what that term meant. They had dances at the local armory that included such names as the Drifters, the Shirelles, Major Lance, Maurice Williams and many more who were the major recording stars of that time. The Kappas remained lifelong friends and continued to get together annually for Big Chill weekends. Mike was the “hub of the wheel” that kept the Kappas connected. It is very special for a group of friends to stay connected for sixty years, but Mike was a truly special man and he will be sorely missed by his band of brothers.

Another passion of Mike’s was his love of USC Gamecock football. Mike could not just go watch a game; he always combined his love of the Gamecocks with his love for entertaining his friends. For many years, it was a ritual for him to put together the most complete game day experience possible at his parking spaces. It was a complete weekend project for him but was truly a labor of love for his friends.

Despite all of Mike’s business and personal accomplishments, the most defining of Mike’s life was his ability to make lasting friendships. Mike loved to entertain and be the perfect host, which he always was. He was always available to help a friend and would drop whatever he was doing to help a friend in need. If a person’s life is measured by the friends he had and the memories he created, Mike led his life to the fullest. He will be missed but always affectionately remembered by his wife, family and friends.

But, no need for us to worry about Mike as he is in heaven now…probably smoking BBQ for the heavenly host!

The end-of-life celebration party that Mike requested will take place in warmer weather and will be announced later.

Anyone wishing to make a memorial in Mike’s memory may do so of their choosing to any animal shelter or rescue.

MEMORIES ARE ONE OF THE GREATEST GIFTS THAT GOD HAS EVER GIVEN US.