Melvin George Snyder

Mel was born on February 15, 1942 in Ironton, Ohio to Callie Wilson Snyder and Howard Snyder. He was a graduate of Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio with a degree in Business Administration in 1975.

In 1951, Mel was in fifth grade and met Julia Morrison, his childhood neighbor. While on leave in 1961 from the United States Air Force, Mel and his neighbor Julia crossed paths again. During the next four years, Mel and Julia wove their lives together; he completed his service for his country and she graduated from nursing school. The happy couple married in July of 1965, residing in Columbus, Ohio for the next 13 years. After several moves with his position with AT&T, they relocated to Kansas City, Missouri in 1983. The couple had two children: Tracey Louise born in 1967 and Paige Elizabeth born in 1970. His children remember him as a supportive and hands-on Dad who encouraged them to pursue their goals.

Mel was accomplished at doing things “The Mel Way” which consisted of taking things out of the box, throwing the directions out and assembling the perfect item. He was a very good cook and enjoyed making his famous sausage gravy and biscuits for his family and friends; Julia often “got stuck” with the clean up from all of his kitchen creations. Mel also loved to share his vast wealth of knowledge: from airplanes, military history, to his beloved Ohio State Buckeyes. He was an active volunteer at the WWI Museum in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, he told everyone he met about the museum. Mel was also a member of the Ararat Shrine Temple Kansas City for over fifteen years.

He is preceded in death by his parents Howard Snyder and Callie Snyder Earles.

Mel is survived by his wife Julia Snyder; daughters Tracey (Gary) Miller and Paige (Jerry) Dobson; grandchildren Ethan, Julia, Sarah and Amanda; great grandchildren Ella, Jasper, Grayson and Reece; younger brother Fred (Crystal) Schaefer; eleven nieces and nephews; and Lola the Yorkshire Terrier.

A Celebration of Life will be scheduled for a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the WWI Museum in Kansas City, Missouri or The Shriners Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.

The family wishes to thank his attending physicians, nurses, staff, Hospice House care team for the loving care and kindnesses to Mel and his family. He was treated with compassion.