James Snyder

James Rolland Snyder, born May 11, 1938, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Fred and Eva Snyder, passed away leaving behind a life filled with family, friendship, creativity, hard work, and a remarkable entrepreneurial spirit.

Jim graduated 8th grade from the Mormon Trail School District, and attended Prairie City, IA High School. In 1964, he married the love of his life, Connie, at the Methodist Church in Menlo, Iowa. Together, they built a life centered around family, community, and a strong work ethic.

Jim began his working life bagging and selling dirt to greenhouses. He later became a store manager for Remington Shavers and then a sales manager for a medical equipment supply company. While he was successful in those positions, Jim knew that he ultimately wanted to work for himself. That desire led him to become an entrepreneur and throughout his life he owned and operated many businesses.

In the early 70’s Jim owned Snyder Construction, where his creativity and artistic talent truly came to life. Jim designed houses, drew the blueprints, and then built them himself. He specialized in custom homes in the Ankeny community. He also constructed many A-frame homes throughout Iowa. One of his proud accomplishments was designing, constructing, and donating an A-frame model house that was displayed at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

In 1981, Jim founded Snyder Fleet Service, a trucking and transportation company that he owned and operated with his son Jerry until its closing in 2004.

In 1986, Jim started The Body Part Store, Inc., a body shop paint and supply company and in true entrepreneurial spirit, quickly handed it off to his son Jon to run. The business remains open today and is still owned and operated by his Jon and his wife Kim.

Jim also owned and operated Snyder Racing Supplies for six years, supplying sprint car parts to racing enthusiasts. He had a great love for the racing community. Racing was one of the many passions that brought him joy and connected him with people.

Jim was truly a people person and knew no strangers. His circle of friends and acquaintances was wide and varied, and he had a unique way of connecting with people from all walks of life. He treated everyone as an equal and made people feel welcome and valued. His compassion was evident in the way he cared for others, and he was never afraid to show his emotions or shed a tear.

Above all else, Jim loved his family. He cherished his children, grandchildren, and extended family, and they were among the greatest joys of his life. He was equally cherished by his family and had a close relationship with his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. They communicated often and he was the first one they called whether they were looking for life advice, business advice, or just how to fix something.

Jim also devoted time to his faith and community. For a time he was a Sunday school teacher. He was a lifetime member, 66 years with Capital Lodge #110 AF & AM in Des Moines, Iowa, and was a member of a Za-Ga-Zig bagpipe band Altoona, Iowa.

Jim will be remembered for his entrepreneurial spirit, his creativity, his kindness, his ability to make and keep friendships, and most of all, his unwavering love for his family. He leaves behind a legacy that can be seen not only in the businesses and homes he created, but also in the lives of the many people he touched. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred Rolland Snyder, and Eva Fay (Conner) Snyder; his brother, Roy Allen Snyder; his sister Patricia “Patty” (Snyder) Regnier; and his cousin, Kenneth

“Big Jr.” Patrie.

He will be missed by his wife, Connie (Reason) Snyder; his sister, Carol Gilbert; his sons, Jon (Kim) Snyder and Jerry (Stephanie) Snyder; his 5 grandchildren; his 9 great grandchildren; and an abundance of extended family and many friends.

Please join us on Friday, October 2nd to celebrate this truly remarkable man.

In lieu, of flowers, please consider making a donation to the ZaGaZig Shrine Hospital Transportation Fund, 1100 Shriners Parkway, Altoona, IA 50009. Please reference Jim Snyder in the memo. Please send any floral arrangements to the family store, The Body Parts Store, Inc., 1863 NE 54th Avenue, Bldg 1, Ste 101, Des Moines, IA, 50313