James F. Snyder

James Frederick Snyder

James Frederick "Jim" Snyder, 82, Topeka, passed away Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at Rolling Hills Health Center surrounded by family and friends. A memorial service will be held Sunday, August 23, 2015 at 1:30 pm at Grace Cathedral, 701 SW Eighth Avenue, Topeka. Entombment will be at 10:00 am Monday, August 24, 2015 at Mount Hope Cemetery Mausoleum, 4700 SW Seventeenth Street, Topeka.

Jim was born in Silver Lake on June 11, 1933 to Alice "Pauline"(Kellner) and Charles Edward Snyder, Sr. His early life was spent in and around Silver Lake, KS, where his parents owned a grocery store and he graduated from Silver Lake High School. Jim was in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955. He graduated from Washburn University where he had served as President of the student body, was a charter member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, and was a member of the Sagamore Honorary Men's Society. He founded a scholarship fund at Washburn University in honor of his son, Ronald Jesse Snyder, who preceded him in death on March 25, 2001.

He worked for KPL under Bill Pardue at the Topeka General office. He later acquired his writing talent from that work experience. He was later Executive Director of the Kansas Funeral Directors Association and an Unemployment Tax Auditor for the State of Kansas.

Jim was active in sharing his singing talents with the Santa Fe Singers some 26 years, Grace Cathedral Choir, Potwin Presbyterian Church Choir, and Grace United Methodist Church Choir, as well as other groups in Topeka.

He was well known in the political arena working on issues for all seniors, serving as President for the Silver Haired Legislature for many years then Speaker Pro Tem and Secretary. Members of the Silver Haired Legislature are elected by local agencies on aging and forwarded to the Governor. They identify policies and concerns of Kansas older adults. While he was there he was also a member of the Older Workers Task Force. Jim had also served as a Republican Precinct Committeeman and on the Jayhawk Area Council on Aging. He had received the Civic Recognition Award.

He was a member of Grace Cathedral and was very proud of this membership.

Jim was a member of the Westar Retiree's and was active in their volunteer efforts. As part of this group he was happy to call Bingo at Topeka Presbyterian Manor for Grace Hospice for almost 14 years. In addition to volunteering for Grace Hospice he volunteered at R.S.V.P.

He frequently contributed articles to the Topeka Capital-Journal's editorial page. Jim crocheted many afghans which he gave to his many friends.

He and his cat, Jackson, were well known for being a generous distributor of writing pens of various styles. Jim would tell people that Jackson orders the pens and he would just pay the bill. Each and every pen was gifted from Jim and Jackson Snyder.

Surviving are his brother and sister-in-law: Charles E. Snyder, Jr. and Bonolyn "Bonnie" (Kinney)Snyder of Bowie, MD; four nephews: Charles E. Snyder III (Cathleen) of Minneapolis, MN, James Snyder of Houston, TX, John Snyder (Tori) of Tulsa, OK, and Daniel Snyder of Bowie, MD; and twelve great-nieces and great-nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Hospice, 3715 SW 29th, Suite 100, Topeka, KS 66614.

Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel is in charge of arrangements.