Harry L. Snyder Jr.

Harry L. Snyder, Jr. was born on July 15, 1937 in Dahlgren, Virginia to Harry L. Snyder, Sr. and Rose Paine Snyder. He also had a brother, James W. Snyder and nephews Kevin & Mark of Altoona, Pennsylvania. He was a gentleman and a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. After his graduation from Altoona High School in Pennsylvania he joined the Navy to see the world.
Harry served his country with honor and made a career out of the Navy where he achieved the rank of Chief Storekeeper. It was while stationed in Chinhae, Korea that he met the love of his life, Oe Suk Pak. They were married on March 16, 1966. The family then moved to Bremerton, Washington where Jasmine attended elementary school. Later they lived in Kodiak, Alaska and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. After a 21 year career in the Navy, Harry retired and they settled in Port Orchard, WA in 1977.
Harry loved sports and his favorites teams were the Pittsburg Steelers, Philadelphia Phillies, and the New York Yankees. As a boy his dad would take him to the ball park so they could enjoy the games. Harry excelled in sports and was on the high school football, basketball and baseball teams. While in the service he was either participating or coaching ball teams.
He was very active in his grandchildren’s lives in Port Orchard, Washington and never missed a game. Harry was like a second father to Christopher and Natasha and helped them to improve their athletic abilities, was a great teacher of life, and an excellent role model. Together with their dad and Uncle Joe attended many SK football games and major league Seattle teams. He enjoyed the Steelers and the Yankees games the most.
Harry loved his family and that’s what brought us to Kitsap County to raise our children. Looking back, our family was either at Harry and Sue’s or they were at our home. With Uncle Joe and Aunt Jenny we were always doing stuff together or just hanging out at the house watching sports. Other activities included clam digging, oyster shucking and going to the exchange.
Harry was very passionate about his faith and was baptized as a Roman Catholic at the Church of St. Mary in Fredericksburg, Virginia on August 15, 1937. In his youth he was an altar boy and maintained his strong faith throughout his life. He regularly attended mass at Saint Gabriel Church here in Port Orchard and if he missed a Sunday mass, he always made it up later that week. He must have thought GOD was keeping track of his attendance.
Harry loved his country and always stood up for her and took a political stand to defend our nation. He understood the values our country was founded upon and believed in our great country. He was not afraid to discuss political correctness or recent changes taking place in our navy. He was truly a “Man of Honor”.
He also loved the romantic music of the 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s, and when on a road trip if he wasn’t listening to a ballgame the radio was tuned to KIXI AM. He wasn’t much of a singer but that didn’t stop him from singing. And he had a gift that made you feel terrific at that moment in time and there was no place you would rather be.
Harry was not driven by fortune and fame but, instead invested his time in relationships with those he loved, and there were many. I would submit to you that this is where the real treasure lies - in our relationships with others. For in the final analysis, God has given us a limited amount of time, and it is up to each of us to make our time count on this world.
Recently, Harry told me on several occasions that he had no regrets. He lived his life to the fullest and to all who knew this great man, he made us better human beings. Recently his Grandson Christopher wrote the following, and I quote,
“Today, I had the privilege of saying goodbye to and sending off a gentleman, a Navy chief, a teacher in the school of life, one of my best friends, and a hero to me. Grandpa, “You’re the man”!!!