Clinton R. "Dutch" Snyder Jr.

Clinton R. "Dutch" Snyder, Jr., 93, of Palatka, passed away peacefully Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, at his residence following a brief illness.
He was a native of Connellsville, Pa., and had been a resident of Palatka for the past 68 years coming from Fort McArthur, Calif., where he was discharged from the U.S. Army. He graduated from the Connellsville High School in 1939, had worked at Glenn Martin in Baltimore, Md., he then served in the U. S. Army with the 580th Signal Warning Battalion during World War II as Sergeant Tec. 4. Following his military service he came to Palatka in 1946 where he started Snyder Building Supply which was in operation until 1967. He served a partial term as a Putnam County Commissioner from 1965 until 1966. In 1968 he was elected as the Putnam County Property Appraiser where he served two terms. In 1974 he began employment with the Orange County property Appraiser's Office until 1980. In 1980 he was employed by the Florida Department of Revenue as Field Real Estate Appraiser in Flagler and Putnam Counties until 1984. In 1984 he was employed by Putnam Counties Property Appraisers Office doing land evaluations. In 1986 he started his own appraisal business, Clint Snyder Appraisals which he operated until 2000.
In 1998 he and wife, Elizabeth, founded the Conlee Mural Committee which later became the Conlee-Snyder Mural Committee in Palatka which has graced Palatka with many beautiful murals depicting our history as a community. On Dec. 13, 2001, he and his wife, Elizabeth received special recognition from the City of Palatka for their many years of public service and dedication to the community. Dec. 21, 2001, was declared Clint and Elizabeth Snyder Day by the City of Palatka in their honor.
He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Palatka where he had served as a Deacon and Elder. He was also an associate member of the St. James United Methodist Church in Palatka. He was a former member of the Rotary Club of Palatka where he had been recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a member of the Palatka Lodge #34, Free & Accepted Masons; the Scottish Rite; and the Morocco Temple in Jacksonville. He had served as District Chairman with the Boy Scouts of America and was a recipient of the Silver Beaver Award. He served on the Boards of Tri-County Mental Health, the Palatka Natural Gas Authority and the Selective Service. He served with the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Main Street Committee.
Preceding him in death were his wife, Elizabeth Wolfenden Snyder, his parents, Clinton R., Sr. and Helen Snyder, a son, Robert W. Snyder; a sister, Clara Mae Fitts; and a nephew, Bud Fitts.
Surviving are two sons and daughter-in-law, William B. "Bill" Snyder of Palatka; and Donald T. "Don" and Frances Snyder of Eastman, Ga.; a daughter-in-law, Evelyn Snyder of Palatka; six grandchildren, Erin (Josh) Springthorpe of Dacula, Ga., Lane (Dustin) Griffin of Blackshear, Ga., Graham (Dee) Snyder, Chloe Snyder and Gracie Snyder, all of Eastman, Ga., and Alexandra Snyder of Atlanta, Ga.; six great grandchildren, Catherine Springthorpe, Ian Springthorpe, Brody Griffin, Katie Griffin, Mackenzie Snyder, and Charleigh Kate Snyder; a nephew, Jim Fitts of Galvaston, Texas; a niece Allison Fitts Winner of Hood River, Ore.; and several great nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014, (today) at Masters Funeral Home in Palatka. In honor and celebration of Clint's life, a video tribute will be shown. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014, at the funeral home with Pastor Don Hanna, Pastor of the St. James United Methodist Church, officiating. The Palatka Lodge #34, Free & Accepted Masons will render Masonic rites. Burial will follow in the Oak Hill East Cemetery in Palatka with military honors bestowed by the United States Army. Memorial gifts may be sent to the Conlee-Snyder Mural Committee, P.O. Box 1901, Palatka, FL 32178, the Rodehavers Boys Ranch, 380 Boys Ranch Road, Palatka, FL 32177 or the Florida United Methodist Childrens Home, 51 Childrens Way, Enterprise, FL 32725. Friends may sign the online guestbook at www.themastersfuneralhomes.com.
Masters Funeral Home of Palatka is in charge of arrangements.