David Walter Snyder, 61, of Oakdale, died Sunday, Jan. 12 after a brief illness.
He was born to Owen Harry and Anna Marie Reed Snyder in Van Nuys and moved with his family to San Jose in 1956. He graduated from Leigh High School in 1970 where he was a stage manager for school plays and sports equipment manager.
He and his brother Owen were involved with YMCA Indian Guides, which their father was instrumental in establishing in San Jose. He often told stories about YMCA Camp Campbell.
Mr. Snyder enjoyed hiking at Yosemite and rafting in the Grand Canyon. He was also an excellent chef, directed the West Valley Culinary Program, and was chef at the Customhouse and The Outlook in the Bay Area in the late 1970s.
In 1992 he married his wife, Naomi, and settled in Modesto. There, he opened and managed the Disney Store while volunteering for United Way and Big Brothers Big Sisters America. He was very proud of his Little Brother Matt and found lifelong friendships working at OSH and Lowe’s. For the past 10 years, he enjoyed his love for cheese as manager for Fiscalini Cheese.
He learned the importance of parental support and involvement in education from both his parents. In 2000, looking for a smaller community, he moved his family to Oakdale. He quickly became involved as a parent volunteer for 4-H, Parent Teacher Club, soccer, Oakdale Joint Unified School District Facilities Committee, Sober Grad Night, and was most proud of volunteering for Oakdale Music Boosters since 2001, serving as president many years. He was grateful for the large parental support, community volunteers and donors supporting music programs for OJUSD.
He believed that it was important to be active with his children at school, at home and at play. He was very proud of daughter Alysse’s compassion for animal welfare and supported her new cause to rescue and find loving homes for kittens. He was excited for daughter Mikayla’s studies at college in anthropology and geology. Son Reed had saved his own money to buy a car, and David had just helped him pick out a 1992 Jeep Cherokee.
A loving husband, father, and uncle, he will be greatly missed by his family and those that knew him as a friend, co-worker and advisor.
He is survived by his wife Naomi; daughters, Alysse and Mikayla; son, Reed, all of Oakdale; brother, Owen (Cheryl) Snyder of Capitola; niece, Victoria Snyder Morris; and nephew Matthew Snyder.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father.
The public is invited to attend a celebration in his memory at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1 at Oakdale Junior High School gymnasium, 400 S. Maag Ave., Oakdale. In his memory, donations of used instruments to the Oakdale Music Boosters will be accepted at the memorial celebration.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Oakdale Music Boosters, P.O. Box 2205, Oakdale, CA 95361.
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
Jan. 22, 2014
