Gary Grant Snyder was born the son of Harold Snyder and Edna (Hillius) Snyder on November 19, 1929 in Conrad, Montana. The family moved to Cut Bank,Montanain 1934 where he graduated high school in 1946. An exceptional baseball player on the American Legion team, Gary caught the eye of several recruiters including the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Upon graduation he enlisted in the Army Air Corps at the age of 17 and was stationed in Germany when it became the United States Air Force. At a very young age, Garywas selected a crew chief with the 527th Fighter Bomber Squadron during the Berlin Airlift.
After military service Gary returned to Montana. In the fall of 1950, he was in a devastating car accident which left him with multiple injuries including paralysis from the neck down. He endured intensive rehabilitation and fought to recover to walk and dance again.
He attended Montana State University, later worked at Dick’s Pack Shack in Livingston, Montana where he met and married Mary Eleanor Hearst. They produced three daughters and one son and later divorced.
Gary went to work for Boeing in 1957 in Seattle, Washington. While there he transferred to the Aerospace Division and moved the family toLouisiana. He received numerous citations and awards for his contributions to the historic achievement of putting man on the moon. At the end of the Apollo program, he went to work for Sperry-Univac inSt. Paul,Minnesota, which later became Unisys. He served as a master engineer in its government packaging division until his retirement in 1996.
In 1994 he was re-acquainted with and later married Betty Woon. They settled inHelenawhere they enjoyed a wonderful life together and forged a great relationship between their two families. They traveled throughout theUnited States,CanadaandEuropeexperiencing amazing adventures together, but their greatest love was spending time with their extended families.
Gary’s love of history and Betty’s personal connection to the First Special Service Force led him to become active in archiving and documenting much of the Force’s history. Besides his love for Betty and their children, Gary also had a love affair with baseball, golf and bowling. Gary was a founding member of the Slidell (Louisiana) Elks Lodge #2321, where he later became the chapter’s Exalted Ruler.
Gary is survived by his loving wife Betty Woon-Snyder, his daughters Renee (Jay Maas) Snyder of Klamath Falls, OR, Carrie (Dean) Cernohous of River Falls, WI, Linda (Phil) Lago of Merritt Island, FL, and his son Roger Snyder of Salmon, ID, Davee (Dave) Letford of Philipsburg, MT,Sally Doyleof Missoula, MT, Bill (Gayle) Woon of Helena, MT, John (Charlotte) Woon of Spokane, WA, as well as 34 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren who adored him.
Gary passed away peacefully on December 3, 2012 with Betty by his side. A private family celebration of life will be held in the spring. Memorials may be sent to the First Special Service Force Association, P.O. Box 202, Helena, MT59624or Hospice of St. Peter’s, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer the family condolences or share a memory of Gary.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Don & Terri Hillius says
We send our sympathies for Gary. Our prayers are with you. We will send copies of the obituary to Denny Hillius and Donna Garcia. All of us are first cousins.
Gerry H Fullerton says
We express our deepest sympathy to Gary”s family. I was a classmate of Gary’s in the 1950’s. I also was his best man at his first wedding.
You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Gerry and Theresa Fullerton
Sun Lakes, Arizona