James Snider

He was born June 1, 1947 in Riverside, CA to Howard Andrew and Dorothy Jean (Metcalf) Snider. His brother Stan joined the family in July 1951 and brother John arrived in June 1961. Jim enjoyed his childhood in Southern California. He had many stories about growing up and fond memories of camping. He started working at Alpha-Beta grocery stores as a box boy in his later teenage years. He graduated from John Muir High School in 1965, then continued his schooling at Pasadena City College.

Jim was drafted into the US Army July 1968. After boot camp and a medical delay, he served in F Troop 8th Calvary Americal Division from Feb 1969 to Feb 1970 in Vietnam. Upon returning home he went back to work for Alpha-Beta. He attended Altadena Baptist Church where he met his future bride, and love of his life, Donna Ann Harke. They were married April 21, 1973.

They settled first in Pasadena and then moved to Arcadia where their first daughter Stacy Ann was born on June 27, 1975. In October 1976 Jim and Donna decided to move to North Seattle to be closer to Donna's family, and also to escape the smog of Southern California. Their second daughter Sheri Jean was born April 27, 1977. Jim served in the Army Reserves at Fort Lawton, WA for several years.

Jim had the good fortune to be trained and then hired on as a drafter by Boeing in 1978. He first worked in Everett on the 767, but then was transferred to Seattle to work in the military division. His security clearance level and inability to discuss what he did at his job confused his young daughters. The girls' theories of their Dad's job ranged from him being a spy to him flying into space to work every day. In years later we understood the secrecy as he was able to disclose that he worked on the wing skins on the B-2 Bomber and F-22 Raptor. He continued to work at Boeing until his retirement in 2007.

Jim was very active at Haller Lake Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School for many years and was active on several Boards and the Ministry Council.

Grandsons arrived in 2006, 2009, and 2011 and Jim greatly enjoyed watching their personalities emerge. He introduced them to his love of planes, trains, and books.

Jim is survived by his wife of 42 years, Donna; daughters, Stacy (Peter) Schurke, and Sheri (Richard) Baer; grandsons Matthew Schurke, Andrew Baer, and Carl Schurke; mother, Dorothy Jean Snider; brothers Stan (Debbie) Snider, John (Diane) Snider and many uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces.

Jim will be greatly missed by all his family and friends.

Memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 1:00pm at Haller Lake Baptist Church, 14054 Wallingford Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133.

Words of comfort may be expressed for James Snider's family by clicking on the guestbook link to the right.