Submitted by: Dan Rich

James W. Snyder

Oct. 6, 1918 - Oct. 17, 2002

South Bend Tribune 10/24/2002

James W. Snyder, 84, formerly of South Bend, Ind., passed away on Thursday, Oct. 17, in his home, 1116 N.E. 10th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He was born in South Bend on Oct. 6, 1918, and was a graduate of Central High School, Northwestern University, and Rutgers University Graduate School of Banking.

He was a World War II veteran, serving as an officer and lead bombardier in the 15th Air Force, 99th Bomb Group, Army Air Corps in Italy. He flew more than 50 missions over Germany, France and eastern Europe for which he was awarded the Air Medal and, in 1944, the Distinguished Flying Cross. He continued his military service as a pilot in Korea, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He returned to a career in banking, which started at the First Bank and Trust Company, South Bend, and continued at the First National Bank of Hollywood in Fort Lauderdale where he served for many years as senior vice president. In retirement, he enjoyed golf and resumed an earlier interest in oil painting, producing a number of highly regarded works.

He was known for his devotion to family and is survived by his wife of 58 years, Barbara Ann (Kennedy) Snyder of Fort Lauderdale; six daughters, Diane DePace and Pam Mennella, both of Atlanta, Ga., Susan Fitzgerald of Boca Raton, Fla., Patti Webster and Kathy Snyder, both of Fort Lauderdale, and Karen Cunningham of Deerfield Beach, Fla. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; a brother, Rick Snyder of South Bend; and by a niece and nephew in South Bend, Nan Barkdull and Tom Barkdull.

A memorial service was held Saturday, Oct. 19, in the Fairchild Funeral Home, Fort Lauderdale..