Anthony J. "Tony" Snyder

Anthony J. "Tony" Snyder, 78, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – September 28, 2025. Born November 23, 1946, Tony was a native and lifelong resident of the Oak Grove community in Washington County, TN. Tony was the son of the late Linville Tennis and Mildred Foxx Snyder.

Tony's life was centered on his love for the lord and had a heart for ministry. He was a member and trustee at Oak Grove Baptist Church and served in many capacities over the years. However, his time serving on the van staff was one he cherished, speaking often of the "van kids" like they were his own children. He would take them out for treats, and they would play for hours in the huge yard at the old Snyder homeplace. Many kept in touch with Tony over the years even as they grew into adults themselves.

Tony was always an artist at heart. When he was young he made paintings for friends and family and some still hang on their walls; later he became fascinated with film and enjoyed making home movies and editing them in funny ways – but most of all he loved music and could often be found singing and playing his harmonica in churches, nursing homes, truck stop ministries or just about anywhere he could use his talent to lift spirits and praise God. For a time, he and his friend Ken Phillips performed as "Souls for Christ" and even recorded several CDs.

Tony was a builder – over 40 years as "Tony Snyder Remodeling" but he did more than just remodeling. He was creative and in his early years, taking on jobs many others would refuse – and built many unique and complicated homes over the years – from Mountain-Top Chalets and A-Frames to fancy little Treehouses shaped like rocket ships and castles, sprinkled across the backyards of several homes in the area. The Johnson City Press even ran a story once about these treehouses but never identified the builder. In later years he focused on smaller jobs and providing maintenance for apartments in Johnson City, first owned by Bob Russell and then later by Mike Vickers. Such was his reputation for doing good and honest work – Mike once said, "I told them I'd only buy this property if Tony comes with it!" – and so it was. Tony came with the property and a long friendship followed. Tony made many lifelong friendships through his work and business dealings, too many to mention, but among these was David Little who worked with him on many projects and was a frequent visitor for years until his health began to decline.

Tony also loved cars and loved trading them, he had many classics along the way and at times his driveway on Oak Grove would become a showroom of sorts. He enjoyed tinkering on the cars and at anything mechanical and in later years turned refurbishing lawn mowers into a side business. He was a regular caller on WBEJ 107.9's "Swap-N-Shop" radio show to advertise what he had available to sell, and he grew a bit of a following among the listeners. Animals were also a big part of Tony's life. He had any pets over the years but some just stood out – like his pet squirrel "Doobie" who would entertain visitors by climbing the walls and sometimes across their shoulders (not everyone liked that). There was also "Sugarlump" the pony, who was the source of many "fun" stories when he would sometimes get loose. Recently Melissa (Dixon) Hicks shared a story with the family saying, "I remember knocking on his door about 7 or 8 yrs old after sneaking through the woods, over several fences and asking could I please feed his pony some of my Halloween candy. He said in such a deep voice, 'No, absolutely not!' then he smiled and said, 'but I will cut up some apples and give you some sugar cubes!' From then on, she would ask for an apple every day in her lunchbox, so she could feed that pony.

As the family went through Tony's belongings, they happened upon a Birthday Card sent to him by his mother Mildred sometime in the early 90's. As was clear from what she wrote inside, he must've been going through a difficult time. Her handwritten and heartfelt words, from a Mother to her Son, touched the family such that they wish to share them here for all to read and take comfort:
"Tony, I'm glad for special days like this, for I get the chance to say
I love you oh so very much and wish you a Happy Birthday!

We'll have disappointments, and we can bear in mind;
That happy roads we'll travel and leave our troubles behind.

It's very hard to overcome the trials we must endure,
But we'll hold to God's unchanging hand [and] victory will be ours for sure.

The tiny boy that brought us smiles, is grown it was God's plan;
He walks the straight and narrow way, since he became a man.

You bring so many blessings to those you chance to meet;
and spread your rays of sunshine, with song and music to greet.

So, keep up the good work you've started, Tho the load gets heavy on the way;
Begin another year starting now, on this – your Happy Birthday!

Love Mama & Daddy"

~

In addition to his parents, Tony was preceded in death by his beloved wife Theresa Snyder; his former wife Trena Ward-Little, his sister Teresa Burkey, and brothers Norman Snyder and Charles Snyder. Tony is survived by his sons Anthony J. Snyder II and Howard L. B. Snyder, his daughter Whitney A. Snyder; his brothers John Snyder, Sam Snyder and Daniel Snyder and his sister Darlene Deadrick; his grandchildren, Leighton Snyder, Rachel Snyder, Dylan Duncan, Abbi Snyder Pickett, Alexia Snyder and Clayton Justis; and his great-grandchildren, Hazel Pickett, Jack Pickett and Luna Justis-Martin; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be conducted for Tony at 2pm, Friday October 10th, 2025, at the Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.

Snyder's Memorial is honored to serve the family of Mr. Anthony J. "Tony" Snyder.