James Snyder

James (Jim) Deering Snyder, 87, of Franklin, Ohio passed away peacefully at home on August 31, 2023 surrounded by the love of his family. Born on June 1, 1936 in Minerva, Kentucky, the youngest son of the late Robert Thomas and Haley Mae (Ellis) Snyder.

While working on the family tobacco farm, Jim attended school and graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1954. He then began working with his father doing insurance repair jobs and soon married the love of his life, Rita Fisher, at Hillsboro Nazarene Church on June 29, 1956.

Jim has had countless adventures and collected a multitude of lifelong friends along the way. He was a proud founder and member of the Miami Valley Four Wheelers jeep dub where he enjoyed racing his trusty, old Willy's jeep. He was also a Master Mason for over 61 years. His hobbies included fishing (then hosting enormous fish fries), camping, sitting on the porch swing, going to the casino, being a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader, and helping everyone with anything and everything they might need. What he loved most of all was playing cards and spending time with family and friends.

Jim worked hard to provide for his family, often holding down three jobs, but he always made time for fun After working at NCR making special parts for cash registers, he moved his family out west to sell Rainbow Cleaning System vacuums. It was wonderful experience, but not as prosperous as planned, so he moved his family back to Ohio taking various jobs such as a construction worker, bouncer at a local bar, and selling insurance where he earned the Half Million Dollar Salesman award for Western & Southern Life. He soon landed his job with the local Carpenters Union and retired as President of the union after over 20 years with S K Construction. During his career with the Carpenter's Union, he helped build many local structures such as Eastgate Mall, Towne Mall, and Corwin Nixon Bridge in Franklin, Ohio. He made sure Rita was the first to drive across the new bridge.

After retirement, he joined Rita as a substitute bus driver and also delivering new buses all over the U.S...the last ones were delivered to Alaska. He and .Rita spent many winters in Florida and also spent 3 summers at the Summer School of Switzerland in Leysin, Switzerland driving buses to transport students all over the Swiss Alps.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Charlotte Jane, brothers, Robert Franklin Snyder, Dewy A. Smith, Son-In-Law, Rich England, Great-grandson, Luke Mitchell Snyder, and his precious, devoted dog, Snoopy, who never left his side.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Rita, his children, Mitch (Ruth) Snyder, and Lisa England. He had 6 grandchildren and was known as Papa TJ to Mandy (Spencer) Hale and Doug (Erin) England and was known as Grandpa to DeAnna (Dustin) Kring, Adam (Kala) Snyder, Joshua Snyder, Megan (Aaron) Hornberger.

Jim is also survived by his numerous Great-grandchildren, many friends, and his cuddly 4-legged napping partner, Luna.

Jim's legacy made an impact on each of the lives he touched, and his passing has left a tremendous void in the hearts of all that knew him.

On September 24, 2023 at 2:30 pm, a Masonic service followed by a Celebration of Life will be held to honor his legacy at the Masonic Temple, 116 S. Second Street, Miamisburg, OH 45342. Dinner will be served.

In lieu of flowers the family asks you to please consider making a donation to a local animal shelter in his name.

Our family would like to extend sincere thanks to Dr. Omer Hurlburt III and Queen City Hospice.