Don Stephen Snyder

Don Stephen Snyder, 74, of Southlake, Texas, passed away April 15, 2023.

Don was the son of George and Barbara (Sergeant) Snyder, and was born December 21, 1948, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Fremont Ross High School in 1966 and received a B.S. in Business from Miami University in 1970. He married Deborah Downs in 1971, and they lived in several states before moving to Texas in 1989. After a brief move back to the midwest, they spent the last 25 years in Southlake. Together they raised two daughters, Devon and Dana.

Growing up Don enjoyed family vacations to Florida and Saugatuck, Michigan. Being the middle child in a large family made him realize there would always be something fun happening! He played tennis in high school and was in the theater department.

Don was a certified public accountant (CPA) until he retired in 1998. His work took him and his family from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Ashland, Kentucky; Lancaster, Ohio; St. Paul, Minnesota; Fort Worth, Texas; and Carmel, Indiana. Finally, Don and Debbie settled in Southlake for retirement and to be closer to their daughters. A post-retirement highlight was serving on the Miami University Foundation for several years. He was proud to serve the University that shaped him, and made lasting friendships with Miami administration. Don and Debbie established a scholarship for a student majoring in elementary education and received a thank you each year from the honored student. For the last twenty years, Don also loved spending time with his grandsons. He attended countless youth soccer, baseball and lacrosse games. As the boys grew, he taught them about the value of work by giving them jobs around his house, yet as any grandfather would do, he paid them generously. Our family shared many vacations to Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Don enjoyed doing puzzles. Over the years he completed dozens and took pictures to remind him what was finished. He also liked playing golf and took several golf trips with friends. In recent years Don joined Zoom calls with college fraternity buddies and his Railroad coworkers.

He was always trying to encourage those he loved to do the things they enjoyed and would champion them in growing their knowledge and confidence.

Moving so often made Don an expert in home repair and maintenance. For many years he made repairs himself, sharing his knowledge with his daughters, then son-in-law and grandsons. As he got older, he "had a guy" for every home issue and got to know every home service person to the point where his daughters knew all of their names as if they were family friends.

Don was in and out of the hospital a lot during his last years. No matter how sick he was, he took time to get to know the nurses and staff. When family would visit he would introduce the nurse along with a fact about them. In return, they doted on him. If there was a "Favorite Patient" Award, Don would have won it.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 52 years, Debbie, and his daughters, Devon (Will) Doby, and Dana Snyder. He also leaves two grandchildren, Carter Doby and Grant Doby; and four siblings, Rick (Marianne) Snyder, Katy (Bill) Ramsdell, George Snyder and Barbara Snyder; and his cousin Ruth Barker. He also leaves beloved nieces, nephews and in-laws.

He was preceded in death by his father, George; his mother, Barbara; and his sister, Martha Ann Spencer.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Friday, April 28 at 1 p.m. in Grace Chapel at White's Chapel Methodist Church in Southlake, 185 S White Chapel Blvd, Southlake, Texas 76092. A reception will follow at the church. Memorial donations may be made to WC Students at White's Chapel Methodist Church or a charity of your choice.