Donald Eugene Snyder, 84, passed away of heart failure September 3, 2010. He had fought a courageous battle with colon cancer for six years. He was born to Bill and Bessie Snyder in Coupeville, on Whidbey Island July 25th, 1926.
He joined the Navy in 1944 and took basic training at Farragut, ID. While stationed in Seattle at the radio stations of the 13th Naval District, he met and married Myrtle Geer, a Wave. After discharge, they moved back to Whidbey Island where he worked with his dad in logging. In 1951 he was hired as an Assistant Superintendent at the Washington State Game Farm. In 1958 he moved with his family to Centralia as Superintendent of the game farm there. He retired in 1982.
Don's love of music, especially Blue Grass and Country Western, was a major part of his life. At age 14, he built a radio station in his bedroom and broadcast to the local area from "The Voice of Prairie Center, one mile south of Coupeville". Later he had a half hour radio show from Mount Vernon. After moving to Centralia, he became "Uncle Don" on KGME. He used his equipment to provide music for local dances. In 1964 he won a National contest sponsored by Starday Records. His prize was a trip to Nashville, TN., where he met many of the stars at the time.
January 1, 1990, Don married Gladys Bailey, a childhood neighbor and friend. Together they enjoyed 20 plus years of family gatherings, traveling, going to garage sales, attending glass conventions and gardening. They have spaces in two antique malls. He loved growing dahlias, roses, picking blackberries and using his chainsaw.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Myrtle, his parents, a brother Pat and a sister Carlene Andersen.
He is survived by his loving wife, Gladys, his children, Betty Riley (Bob), Donald Snyder (Karen), Donna Johansen, Cindy Hankins (Ron). His step children, Katherine Stacy (Rick), Michael Bailey, Karen Bailey (Sam), Kenneth Bailey (Vickie) nieces, Brenda Jefferson (Rick), Sandi Robbins (Guy), a sister, Jo Anne Elbert, 17 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, other nieces and nephews and his cat, Thomas.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Island County Historical Society, P.O. Box 305 Coupeville, WA 98239.
Don will be buried at Sunnyside Cemetery in Coupeville at a later date. Memorial services will be held September 25, 2010 at 1 p.m. at the Forest Funeral Home, 2501 Pacific Ave. SE Olympia, WA 98501.
He joined the Navy in 1944 and took basic training at Farragut, ID. While stationed in Seattle at the radio stations of the 13th Naval District, he met and married Myrtle Geer, a Wave. After discharge, they moved back to Whidbey Island where he worked with his dad in logging. In 1951 he was hired as an Assistant Superintendent at the Washington State Game Farm. In 1958 he moved with his family to Centralia as Superintendent of the game farm there. He retired in 1982.
Don's love of music, especially Blue Grass and Country Western, was a major part of his life. At age 14, he built a radio station in his bedroom and broadcast to the local area from "The Voice of Prairie Center, one mile south of Coupeville". Later he had a half hour radio show from Mount Vernon. After moving to Centralia, he became "Uncle Don" on KGME. He used his equipment to provide music for local dances. In 1964 he won a National contest sponsored by Starday Records. His prize was a trip to Nashville, TN., where he met many of the stars at the time.
January 1, 1990, Don married Gladys Bailey, a childhood neighbor and friend. Together they enjoyed 20 plus years of family gatherings, traveling, going to garage sales, attending glass conventions and gardening. They have spaces in two antique malls. He loved growing dahlias, roses, picking blackberries and using his chainsaw.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Myrtle, his parents, a brother Pat and a sister Carlene Andersen.
He is survived by his loving wife, Gladys, his children, Betty Riley (Bob), Donald Snyder (Karen), Donna Johansen, Cindy Hankins (Ron). His step children, Katherine Stacy (Rick), Michael Bailey, Karen Bailey (Sam), Kenneth Bailey (Vickie) nieces, Brenda Jefferson (Rick), Sandi Robbins (Guy), a sister, Jo Anne Elbert, 17 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, other nieces and nephews and his cat, Thomas.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Island County Historical Society, P.O. Box 305 Coupeville, WA 98239.
Don will be buried at Sunnyside Cemetery in Coupeville at a later date. Memorial services will be held September 25, 2010 at 1 p.m. at the Forest Funeral Home, 2501 Pacific Ave. SE Olympia, WA 98501.
Donald Eugene Snyder, 84, passed away of heart failure September 3, 2010. He had fought a courageous battle with colon cancer for six years. He was born to Bill and Bessie Snyder in Coupeville, on Whidbey Island July 25th, 1926.
He joined the Navy in 1944 and took basic training at Farragut, ID. While stationed in Seattle at the radio stations of the 13th Naval District, he met and married Myrtle Geer, a Wave. After discharge, they moved back to Whidbey Island where he worked with his dad in logging. In 1951 he was hired as an Assistant Superintendent at the Washington State Game Farm. In 1958 he moved with his family to Centralia as Superintendent of the game farm there. He retired in 1982.
Don's love of music, especially Blue Grass and Country Western, was a major part of his life. At age 14, he built a radio station in his bedroom and broadcast to the local area from "The Voice of Prairie Center, one mile south of Coupeville". Later he had a half hour radio show from Mount Vernon. After moving to Centralia, he became "Uncle Don" on KGME. He used his equipment to provide music for local dances. In 1964 he won a National contest sponsored by Starday Records. His prize was a trip to Nashville, TN., where he met many of the stars at the time.
January 1, 1990, Don married Gladys Bailey, a childhood neighbor and friend. Together they enjoyed 20 plus years of family gatherings, traveling, going to garage sales, attending glass conventions and gardening. They have spaces in two antique malls. He loved growing dahlias, roses, picking blackberries and using his chainsaw.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Myrtle, his parents, a brother Pat and a sister Carlene Andersen.
He is survived by his loving wife, Gladys, his children, Betty Riley (Bob), Donald Snyder (Karen), Donna Johansen, Cindy Hankins (Ron). His step children, Katherine Stacy (Rick), Michael Bailey, Karen Bailey (Sam), Kenneth Bailey (Vickie) nieces, Brenda Jefferson (Rick), Sandi Robbins (Guy), a sister, Jo Anne Elbert, 17 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, other nieces and nephews and his cat, Thomas.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Island County Historical Society, P.O. Box 305 Coupeville, WA 98239.
Don will be buried at Sunnyside Cemetery in Coupeville at a later date. Memorial services will be held September 25, 2010 at 1 p.m. at the Forest Funeral Home, 2501 Pacific Ave. SE Olympia, WA 98501.
He joined the Navy in 1944 and took basic training at Farragut, ID. While stationed in Seattle at the radio stations of the 13th Naval District, he met and married Myrtle Geer, a Wave. After discharge, they moved back to Whidbey Island where he worked with his dad in logging. In 1951 he was hired as an Assistant Superintendent at the Washington State Game Farm. In 1958 he moved with his family to Centralia as Superintendent of the game farm there. He retired in 1982.
Don's love of music, especially Blue Grass and Country Western, was a major part of his life. At age 14, he built a radio station in his bedroom and broadcast to the local area from "The Voice of Prairie Center, one mile south of Coupeville". Later he had a half hour radio show from Mount Vernon. After moving to Centralia, he became "Uncle Don" on KGME. He used his equipment to provide music for local dances. In 1964 he won a National contest sponsored by Starday Records. His prize was a trip to Nashville, TN., where he met many of the stars at the time.
January 1, 1990, Don married Gladys Bailey, a childhood neighbor and friend. Together they enjoyed 20 plus years of family gatherings, traveling, going to garage sales, attending glass conventions and gardening. They have spaces in two antique malls. He loved growing dahlias, roses, picking blackberries and using his chainsaw.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Myrtle, his parents, a brother Pat and a sister Carlene Andersen.
He is survived by his loving wife, Gladys, his children, Betty Riley (Bob), Donald Snyder (Karen), Donna Johansen, Cindy Hankins (Ron). His step children, Katherine Stacy (Rick), Michael Bailey, Karen Bailey (Sam), Kenneth Bailey (Vickie) nieces, Brenda Jefferson (Rick), Sandi Robbins (Guy), a sister, Jo Anne Elbert, 17 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, other nieces and nephews and his cat, Thomas.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Island County Historical Society, P.O. Box 305 Coupeville, WA 98239.
Don will be buried at Sunnyside Cemetery in Coupeville at a later date. Memorial services will be held September 25, 2010 at 1 p.m. at the Forest Funeral Home, 2501 Pacific Ave. SE Olympia, WA 98501.
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