HARRY SNYDER

Harry W. Snyder Harry Walter Snyder, born February 15, 1956 to Howard and Gertrude (Talley) Snyder, went to be with Jesus on September 5, 2010 after a courageous battle with stomach cancer. He passed away in his home in University Place, WA, surrounded by family. Harry was born and raised in Waterville, WA, where he graduated from high school as salutatorian in 1974. He was an outstanding athlete; all-league in football, baseball, and basketball. He was a member of the Waterville Federated Church. He attended Wenatchee Valley College while working for the Waterville Grange Supply and driving school bus for special events. In 1977 he moved to Western Washington and started working in the office furniture industry. In 1982, he started his own business (H. Snyder & Associates, NW Systems Installation, Inc.), which God blessed for 15 years. His brother Tom was a partner in the business. They had a very close working relationship with Business Interiors Northwest, to whom they sold their business in 1997. In 1983, he married his loving wife and best friend, Paula. Harry and Paula were opposites, which made a great team. God blessed them with a son, Alexander, and a daughter, Elizabeth. Their son Alex, who was born with severe disabilities, died at age 3, which caused Harry to more fully commit his life to Christ. In 2000 Harry made a career change and became an assistant golf professional at Fircrest Golf Club, working in the pro shop and teaching lessons. He truly enjoyed assisting members, working with the junior golf program and the ladies' golf groups, and helping with poker tournaments. Harry's passions were his faith, family, friends, and fishing. He enjoyed golf, animals (especially his wiener dogs), Texas Hold 'Em, cribbage with his father-in-law, and cooking for large groups like the church youth group. He had a great sense of humor: telling stories, cracking jokes and giving everyone nicknames. Harry was a natural leader, a take-charge person that saw what needed to be done and did it. He had knack for organizing any activity. Harry was a very generous and giving person. He was involved in Children's Therapy Center of Kent, Run to Win Outreach, Federal Way Church of the Nazarene, and Sunset Bible Church. Two highlights in the past year were meeting Jack Nicklaus, and playing in the Senior Event at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas where he placed 190th out of over 3,000 entrants. Harry was preceded in death by his brother Dennis, sister Barbara, son Alexander, and father Howard Snyder. Harry is survived by his wife of 26 years, Paula, daughter Elizabeth (Michael) Hood, mother Gertrude Snyder, Waterville, brother Tom (Sandy) Snyder, Camano Island, brother Dale (Adele) Snyder, Waterville, best friend Bob "Boot" Hill, Auburn, many nieces and nephews, and a large extended family. Two memorial services will be held, one on Saturday, September 18th, 2010 at 11:30 a.m. at the Waterville Federated Church, followed by a lunch, and one on Saturday, October 9th, at 1:00 p.m. at University Place Presbyterian Church, followed by a reception at Fircrest Golf Club. At Harry's request, please make donations to Children's Therapy Center, 10811 Kent Kangley Road, Kent, WA 98031.