James Lee Snyder

Jim was born on September 17, 1939 in South Gate, California, the son of Agnew John Snyder and Helen Geraldine Phelps. Upon the passing of his mother at the tender age of 6 (May 2, 1946), Jim and his father moved to Ogden, Utah to live with Jim’s grandmother (“Granny”) and other relatives. Jim’s immediate family grew when his father married Marie Rinebarger in May of 1954 who had two children, Don and Dorene. Jim was preceded in death by his father on August 4, 1982. Jim was also preceded in death by his stepmother Marie and stepsiblings Don and Dorene.

Jim served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Mexico Mission from 1960 to 1962. Jim referred to his mission service as the best decision he ever made. He credited several of his church youth leaders, specifically Bishop Milton R. Goff, for helping him decide to go on a mission, which changed his life. Almost immediately after returning from his mission, Jim met Betsy Petersen from Farr West, Utah, and they were married on June 20, 1963 and sealed in the Logan Temple.

Jim graduated from the University of Utah in June of 1965 with a degree in Civil Engineering. He and Betsy then moved to Monterey Park, California, as Jim took a job with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works. Jim and Betsy later moved to Hacienda Heights in 1969. They had seven children, James Jr. “Jimmy” (Heather) Snyder, Karen (John) Thurman, Kimberly (Andre) Vicario, Kathy (Ben) Barajas, Randy (Jenn) Snyder, Jeff (Deborah) Snyder and Kellie (Cameron) Johnston.

Jim worked for the County for his entire professional career and retired in 1996. Betsy preceded Jim in death on July 5, 1996 after a years long battle with cancer. Jim was also preceded in death by his son Randy on January 15, 2025.

Jim then married his surviving spouse Joan Browning on August 28, 1999 and added her four children to his family, Eddie (Jenny) Browning, Heather (Marc) Shulga, Jeff (Jennie) Browning, and Christa (Mike) Nigro.

Jim loved sports and had a particular affinity for USC football which he rooted for religiously from childhood all the way to his passing. Jim graduated with a Master’s Degree from USC. You would often find Jim wearing a USC sweatshirt. He and his late son Randy attended their final USC game at the Coliseum together just after Thanksgiving 2024.

Jim was also heavily involved with the sports, music and dance programs his children participated in at Glen A. Wilson High School as his children attended the school for 20 consecutive years from 1980 to 2000. Jim became the “Voice of the Wildcats” in the mid 1980s and held this title for over 35 years announcing primarily the basketball games but also football games and band competitions. Jim was inducted into the inaugural Wilson Athletics Hall of Fame Class in 2020. He often joked that he was one of the few people who knew the name of the Laker’s longtime public address announcer, Lawrence Tanter, whom he emulated in his announcing style.

Jim was a devoted husband and father who took pride in the accomplishments of all 11 of his children. He and Joan would take annual 2-month-long trips around the country to visit their children and grandchildren in the summer for several years. Together they share 25 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held for Jim at 11:00 am (viewing at 10:00 am) on Monday, February 10, 2025 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints building at 16750 Colima Road in Hacienda Heights, California.

James will be laid to rest in Rose Hills Memorial Park, 3888 Workman Mill Rd, Whittier, California 90601; Autumn Terrace; Gate: 1, Section: 9, Lot: 733, Grave: 1.