James A. Snyder

James Allen Snyder, age 72, of Spring City, PA and formerly of Hopewell, PA, passed away on Sunday, May 10, 2020 in Phoenixville Hospital. Born on October 30, 1947 in Rochester, PA, he was a son of the late Frances Louise (Baker) and Donald Martin Snyder. Known to most as Jim or Jimmy, he cherished the memories of his childhood on the family farm with younger siblings Gary, Kathleen, Karen, Daniel and Dawne Marie. He also cherished relationships with many of his extended family members of beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and generations thereafter, all over the country. Jim was a 1965 graduate of Everett High School, attending West Chester University in 1966, and graduating from the Armed Forces Music School, Norfolk, VA in 1967. He enlisted and served in the United States Navy for 6 years during the Vietnam War, receiving the Vietnam Campaign Ribbon. After his service, Jim was employed with Timken Co. in Bucyrus, OH for 11 years. He went on to work for a small home siding company in Sebring, FL. Later in life, he trained with and drove for Schneider National Trucking, having received advanced training and certification from Appleton University in WI. In 1987, he settled back in PA and was employed at JLG Industries in McConnellsburg, PA for 22 years, retiring in 2009. Jim's life was filled with many loves; playing music and being in the outdoors were his passions. He was a self-taught musician and spent his life entertaining those around him, creating wonderful life-long friendships with many of the talented musicians he was honored to play with. As an avid hunter and fisherman, Jim volunteered much of his time and skills to Trout Unlimited and was a certified instructor for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission in Bedford and Blair counties. He also was a member of Trout Unlimited, the Junior Chamber of Commerce, and The Big Brothers of America. In recent years, he had returned his focus on music: playing parties and holiday celebrations for the other residents at the Southeastern Veterans Center, where he had resided for the last year and a half of his life. Mr. Snyder is survived by his daughter, Jennifer (Sebastian) Ricci, of Pottstown, and three granddaughters: Mallory, Gillian and Amelia. In addition to his beloved parents Don and Louise Snyder, Mr. Snyder was preceded in death by siblings Karen Snyder and Gary Snyder. Due to current events and restrictions, graveside services at Koontz Church of the Brethren in New Enterprise, PA will be held privately at the discretion of the family. Memorial services will be planned at a later date when permissible. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Jame's name to The American Heart Association or Trout Unlimited. Arrangements are being handled by the Campbell - Ennis - Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc., Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. Condolences may be offered online at www.PhoenixvilleFuneralHome.com.

James A. Snyder

October 30, 1947 - May 10, 2020