James Robert Snyder

James (Jim) Robert Snyder passed away peacefully January 13 th, 2026 with loved ones by his side. He was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Jim was preceded in death by: his wife Tsune on February 3, 2025; his two older sisters, Mabel Chase and Katherine Mertz; and niece Laura.

Jim was born on August 9 th,1932 into the family of master farmer Ernest T. Snyder and Marie Paynter Snyder of Hannibal, Missouri. Growing up on a farm made him no stranger to hard work. Besides his farming duties he had a 400 client paper route before school and worked at his Aunt Bernice's drive-in restaurant (in town). During this time, he also put in the work to become an Eagle Scout. Unlike his jobs and scouting, schoolwork didn't garner much of his attention. The stories he told of putting potatoes in the teachers' car tailpipes and riding his motorcycle through the hall of his high school left few questions about his opinion of school.

Jim served in the National Guard before he enlisted in the United States Army on August 16 th, 1949 and soon found himself serving in the 64 th AAA Gun Battalion and involved in the Korean War. While serving at Johnson Air Base in Honshu, Japan he met and married the love of his life, Tsuneko (Tsune) Shimamura, his wife of 72 years. Jim dedicated over 20 years to the Army which included tours abroad in Japan, Korea, Germany and Vietnam (1968-69 war). Stateside duty stations included Monmouth, New Jersey, Fort Knox, Kentucky, and his last assignment, Fort Eustis, Virginia as an SFC E-7 Aircraft Maintenance Supervisor.

Newport News, Virginia became home after Jim retired from the Army. He then went on to work for and retire from Newport News Waterworks after 20 years as a facility operator. After retiring for the second time, Jim could concentrate his time on what he was passionate about: aviation, motorcycles, sailing, tinkering and fixing anything and everything that needed it, whether for family, friends, or neighbors.

Jim's passion for aviation was lifelong. He could tell you the name of the aircraft flying overhead just from the sound it made, a skill he passed on to his son. He was an instructor of aviation mechanics at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautics Institute campus at Fort Eustis. He was also an avid model aircraft builder and R/C pilot. His last project was constructing an Ultralight plane that he unfortunately was unable to complete.

Rivaling Jim's love of aviation was his passion for motorcycles, which started when he got his first bike, an Indian Chief as a teen. He shared his love of motorcycles with his children through rides, lessons, watching races on television, and going to the racetrack.

Jim also loved sailing, though family sailing mates were not prevalent unless Dramamine was on board. Not to be deterred, he found a new sailing partner aptly named Jib, his trusty dog.

Left to deeply miss his detailed instructions, protective advice, stories of times gone by, country quips, uniquely dry sense of humor, and tough exterior with a hidden soft center are his surviving children, Betty Snyder, James E. Snyder, Peggy Meyers (Mike), Connie Schiller, and Norma Kempton (Mark); grandchildren, Dana Spence, Ashley Pels (Mike), Erin Miller (Don), Kara Eckert, Michael Meyers, Hope Weller (Andrew), Christopher Schiller, Zachary Pero-Schiller (Darrell), Casey Capps (Ronny), Joshua Kempton; great-grandchildren, Sam, Gabe, Ella, Addy, Miley, Maeve, Clara, Mason, Joanna and Isaiah; nieces, Irma, Barbara, Martha, Marsha, and Andrea; and nephews, Clarence (Buddy) and Greg.

The family would like to acknowledge and thank the caring staff of Dominion Village of Williamsburg for embracing our father for his honesty and humor, RN Laura and caring staff of Traditions Hospice for seeing him through a miraculous recovery, Tanya Williams for the love and kindness shown through your care, Thomasine Taylor for forming such a tight bond and treating our father like a family member, Michelle of ACG Hospice for your patience and kindness, RN Lauren of ACG Hospice for not wavering in your kindness, compassion and attention to detail during the roller coaster ride these last few months presented. Our father and entire family were truly blessed by God to have had all these wonderful people involved in his care and we are eternally grateful.

Celebration of Life ceremonies for Jim and his beloved wife Tsune will be held at 1pm, Saturday, February 21 st, 2026, at Altmeyer Funeral home, 12893 Jefferson Avenue, Newport News, Virginia.

Burial for Jim and Tsune will be at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers to honor our father, the family asks you to consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association ( alz.org ), the American Cancer Society (donate.cancer.org) or The Hospice House of Williamsburg (williamsburghospice.org).

Online condolences may be expressed to www.vacremationsociety.com