The many friends of Don Snyder, 83, from his hometown of Florence, Alabama, as well as other surrounding areas, were saddened to learn of the passing of Don on Dec. 10, 2015, in Carefree, Arizona. Don was preceded in death by his parents, Burt and Thalia Snyder, and his stepfather, Noble L. “Buster” Arnett.
Don received an engineering degree from the University of Alabama in 1954. He was initiated into the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity in 1950 and distinguished himself by being voted the “Most Outstanding Member” and then president of the fraternity.
During the 1940s and into the 1950s, Don had a number of close friends, including Bob Hill, Mack Norton, John Moseley, John McClure, George Chambers, Doodle Barnett, Kenneth McAfee, Gary P. Smith, Charlie Moore, Bill Oldham, and Jack Counts. They enjoyed playing penny-ante poker and became a singing group with Don singing bass, Jim singing baritone, Mack playing guitar and singing tenor, and the others fitting in as their talents allowed. Much of their singing took place in Don’s 1947 Studebaker or on a boat in Shoals Creek.
After graduating from Coffee High School in Florence, Don and his friends attended different universities but all stayed in touch and would gather for fun and frolic during Christmas, spring breaks, and summer vacations. Bob, Mack, and Jack were initiated into the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity by Don Snyder. John Moseley and Gary P. Smith were made an honorary member.
Don served two years in the U.S. Army Signal Corps before pursuing a 34-year career at McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis, Missouri and Long Beach, California. He retired in 1993 as vice president of program management.
Don is survived by his loving wife, Roberta, and his daughters, Donna McGraw and Blair McWay and son-in-law, Mike. He is also survived by his wonderful grandchildren, Drew (Paige) and Pace McWay and Taylor and Corey McGraw; and stepsons, Todd and Adam Pudivitr; and grandchildren, Jessica and Zac Pudivitr and Gabrielle Moore.
The friends of Don Snyder send our heartfelt condolences to his loving wife, Bert, and his daughters and grandchildren. “It is funny how time passes by without noticing how good life is at the moment.” Pace McWay
