Gary Wayne Snyder

Gary Wayne Snyder

Thursday, March 24, 1949 to Sunday, February 11, 2018

Gary Snyder, 68 of Apache Junction, Arizona passed away quietly on Sunday, February 11, 2018 at home while resting in his favorite chair.  Per his wishes, cremation rites will be rendered by a local funeral home. 

Celebration of Life Services will be held Saturday, March 10, 2018 at 11:00 am at VFW Post 7968 of Apache Junction, 250 S. Phelps Drive, Apache Junction, Arizona. Directly following the service there will be a gathering at the post for family and friends.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to VFW Post 7968, on behalf of Gary Snyder, VFW Post 7968 Commander.  A donation box will also be available at the service.  There will be an additional memorial service in Iowa (Gary’s hometown) in June 2018, date and time TBD.   

Gary was born March 24, 1949, the son of Carl Vernon Snyder and Ione M. Hintz Snyder, in Davenport, Iowa.  He married Janet L. Snyder on June 19, 1976.  Jan and Gary were married for 41 years. Gary worked hard all of his life and was extremely dedicated to supporting the military and his family.

He had 29 years of combined Federal Service.  His career started in the US Air Force, followed by a distinguished Civil Service Career at the US Armament, Biological, Chemical Command, Maintenance Operations and Procedures (MOP) Shop. Gary officially retired from his civil service position May 1, 1999. Gary was no stranger to military deployments; he served 2 tours in Vietnam; supported the 82nd Airborne Division during Operation Desert Storm and after retirement, Gary went back to work in support of the US Army Sustainment Command, as a Maintenance Supervisor managing the “Ready to Fight Fleet” in Iraq. Gary truly was a warrior. He spent the last ten years working for the VFW either in a leadership position, support roll, and as a volunteer. Gary was an active member of China Post One American Legion where he served as Chef de Gar and Adjutant. Gary’s commitment and dedication to duty has ended with him serving as the VFW Post Commander for Post 7968.  

Gary was an extremely patriotic American and was proud to have had the opportunity to watch his son Todd graduate from Navy Boot Camp. In July 2013, Gary attended Todd’s Marine Corps Retirement Ceremony.  He enjoyed cooking, travel, and taking care of his pool and yard.  Gary was a kind, caring person who loved volunteering and above all spending time with his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Janet Snyder, Apache Junction, Arizona; his four siblings: David Lee Snyder of Rock Island, IL, Carolyn Jean Palmer and Janet Marie Hawkins of Springfield, MO, and Donna Mae Foster of Mountain Home, Arkansas; his son: Todd (Lorri) Snyder of St. James, MO; Five grandchildren: Austin, Hailey, Adrien, Kaiden and Ava; several nieces and nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. He was preceded in death by his parents: Carl Vernon Snyder and Ione Snyder, sister: Barbara Ann Brenner, and nephew Harold Lee Brenner. 

Online condolences and remembrances may be expressed to the family by visiting Gary’s obituary at www.atseasonendmortuary.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gary Wayne Snyder, please visit our floral store.