Snyder, Harold R. March 7, 1934 - February 27, 2022

Harold Reid Snyder was born March 7^th, 1934, to James Flay and Dimple Belle (Poston) Snyder at the Century family farm east of Lowry City, Missouri. After graduation, he moved to Oregon to be near his siter Doris and find work. While there, he met the love of his life and wife of 66 years, Catherine Dearborn. After they married, they returned to Lowry City, Missouri to make their home.

Today is a celebration of life, the life of an incredible man, a husband, a father, grandfather, great grandfather, and a friend to many. Today we’ll shed some tears for sure, but I also hope that we do some laughing, as I know that’s what Harold would want. One of the many things that comes to mind when I think of him is Abundant Life. You could see it all over him when he walked into a room, a restaurant, or a church, it didn’t matter. You could tell by the way he greeted folks and the way he was greeted. He was a joy, a light and just fun to be around. Harold embraced life and lived it fully and actively, and I stress actively. I mean he did a lot of things, he worked on his farm, he had cattle up until a month ago. He was an Elder in his church, organized the Men’s Prayer Breakfast every month, he hunted, fished, and attended Lakeland ball games, and played cards with many friends. All that was just in the last year at the age of 87.

As a young man, he walked to Denny School through the eighth grade. High school was at Lowry City. Baseball was a huge part of his life. He was talented and played in games all around the area, and even had a chance to go to the minor leagues. He chose the joy of raising his family on the farm.

I believe he had this joy of life because of his belief in God… and the choice he made to be in control of his attitude. Did bad things happen to him? Absolutely! He lost his parents, a sister, a son-in-law, a daughter, and many friends. He watched his wife fight cancer, he watched a grandson endure a horrific traffic accident, and those are just some examples. But, he made the choice to push through it, to smile, to laugh, to be happy, to find the sunny side. I think that is why so many enjoyed being around him no matter where he was. He lifted your spirits.

I don’t think many people know this, but Harold had some major addiction problems. That’s right, because of him, many in his family have the same addictions. As far as I know, there have been no 12 step programs created for these addictions yet. Before you jump to conclusions on what they are… its hunting. Which of course is the gateway addiction to heavier things like fishing and running coyotes with his hound dogs. He would say “howling hounds make beautiful music.” Music was a very important part of his life as he was quite the dancer and had a beautiful voice. He often sang at church in his later years, and he and Catherine spent many nights square dancing or playing cards with friends.

Harold was passionate about hunting and fishing and everything that went along with it. He made several elk hunting trips to Colorado. He also got to experience a wonderful fishing trip to Alaska with great friends. Also, weekly visits to the coyote pen for his dogs to chase a coyote. I think what he enjoyed most about hunting and fishing trips was being with people. Harold was a long time overseer of the Landaker Cemetery.

Being at Harold’s house was a special place. A place where kids could be kids. A place for homemade ice cream, a swim at the rock pit or a trip to the watermelon patch. At his house you felt safer. You felt loved. You felt the world had stopped turning for just a little while and everything just seemed to be right. He was the kind of man that made you want to be a better person. Family was very important to Harold. As the grandchildren arrived, he had a new generation to teach how to hunt, fish and acknowledge nature. He continued with the great grandchildren. Harold had a delightful sense of humor and loved to play jokes on people. You were guaranteed a laugh while visiting. He made sure his kids knew that when he graduated the 8^th grade from Denny School, he was salutatorian of his class. He neglected to mention for some time that there were only two students in the class!

In the Bible, we were given a great example, and truly one that I think he was following all along, and that is one of Jesus Christ. When you follow Christ, it affects how you live your life. The Bible explains it as a fruit.

Freeman. Brother-in-law, Fred Dearborn. Grandchildren: Ryan Miller, Lindsey Jolley, Kaitlyn Palmer, Traci Uptgrove, LeAnn Bull, Megan Pflug, Tyler Smith, Travis Smith, Seth Snyder, Dustin Stephens, and Ashley Davis. Great Grandchildren: Claire, Bryce, Kasen, Jake, Lydia, Ava, Tristin, Ethan, Spencer, Stella, Jules, Tyson, Maverick, Isaac, Ava, Corbin, Jordan, and Lucas. As well as a host of friends and extended family.

Matthew 7:18 “A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruit.”

Harold was a good tree. This is what he knows and what he would want you to know right now… to live life abundantly, to love fervently, and to know Jesus is the only way to Heaven. He is the way, the truth, and the life. So, we will miss him, no doubt. And for all those who believe in Jesus, we will see him again one day. Today, I think the highest compliment I could ever give him is to just say…  I will do all I can to be like you. Thank you for all you have meant to so many.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Flay and Dimple Snyder, a sister, Doris Schmidli, a daughter, Kay Miller, and a son-in-law, Dan Minich.

He is survived by his wife, Catherine Snyder, three children: Karen Minich, Diana (Tony) Smith, Jim (Jo) Snyder. Son-in-law Mitch miller. Three nieces: Jan Minor, Connie Ashbaugh and Carla Freeman. Brother-in-law, Fred Dearborn. Grandchildren: Ryan Miller, Lindsey Jolley, Kaitlyn Palmer, Traci Uptgrove, LeAnn Bull, Megan Pflug, Tyler Smith, Travis Smith, Seth Snyder, Dustin Stephens, and Ashley Davis. Great Grandchildren: Claire, Bryce, Kasen, Jake, Lydia, Ava, Tristin, Ethan, Spencer, Stella, Jules, Tyson, Maverick, Isaac, Ava, Corbin, Jordan, and Lucas. As well as a host of friends and extended family.

The Deer Hunter’s Prayer

Here I sit again, Oh Lord with the rifle in my hand

Peering through the morning darkness

Perched high in my tree stand. The silence is broken

By the sound of geese flying up the river.

The morning air is chilly and I start to shiver.

And Lord, you know I’m due a little luck and

I start to wonder, will this be the day that I come

Face to face with that ole giant buck?

As the sun rises and the light breaks through the trees

I hear the sound of breaking limbs and something

walking through the leaves. My heart begins to pound

and as I raise my gun to fire. I realize that its too late

for behind me a shot rings out

and the buck has met its fate.

All my dreams vanish as I watch the ten point fall

Lord, I already had him mounted and hanging on the wall.

So father, when my last hunt is over

And I leave these woods behind,

I would like to ask a favor, if you would be so kind.

That when I enter through the pearly gates

And come into your glory land,

Instead of the mansion you promised, Lord

How bout just an ole tree stand?

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Landaker Cemetery in care of the Sheldon-Goodrich Funeral Home.