Ronald G Snyder

On Friday, September 14, 2018, a service in memory of Gene will be held at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church located at 1301 Golden Springs Rd in Anniston. Following a Rosary Service at 9:30 a.m., the family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will then begin at 11:00 a.m., presided by Fr. Bryan Lowe and Fr. Charley Alookaran. After Mass, interment will be at the Sacred Heart columbarium.

Gene was an Anniston native, and dedicated 45 years to federal government service with the Anniston Army Depot, Anniston Munition Center, and proudly retired from Anniston Chemical Activity as an ammunition storage supervisor. He was a member of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association.

Gene had many interests close to his heart. He was active in the faith ministries at Sacred Heart, and a member of the Knights of Columbus. In earlier years, he served the community as a director for the Anniston Baseball for Youth.

As a teenager and young man, Gene had a great love for riding motorcycles. After a 34-year hiatus, he resumed this first love avidly riding most days, and when joining The Mt. Cheaha Chapter of the Harley Owners Group (“H.O.G. Chapter”) he gained a tremendous group of close friends that share that same passion. In the past 10 years, whether short rides, or long trips across the country, Gene was grateful for every mile. He would say “I ride wherever my front wheel takes me” and he was known to ride a different route to and from that day’s destination.

He was part of a four-man group (lovingly known as “The Alabama Old Farts”) that would take an annual trip with a common goal to ride through each of the lower 48-states. Gene had just returned from the recent annual trip that closed in that gap – his front wheel took him through 46 of the 48 states.

While Gene’s first love may have been a Harley, his greatest love is Mary, his soulmate. The only time their hearts and house was divided was on game day (LSU/AL) – we can all hear him now, shouting “ROLL TIDE!”

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Mary Snyder; one daughter, Sandy Champion; two sons, Buddy Snyder and Whit Snyder (Selina); three grandsons, Tommy Snyder, Blake Snyder, and Skylar Champion; three granddaughters, Whitney Snyder, Amanda Snyder, and Mary Beth Champion; nine great-grandchildren, and last, but not least, his sweet-pup Maggie. He is preceded in death by his son Bubba Snyder, and his parents, Ralph and Inez Snyder.

For those who wish to celebrate Gene, Memorial Donations may be made to your own favorite charity or one of Gene’s, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, or the Sacred Heart Church Building Fund.

The family would like to convey special thanks to Honorary Pallbearers - the Knights of Columbus, members from the H.O.G. Chapter, and friends that rode with Gene on a regular basis.