James D. Snyder

Following a courageous battle with cancer, James D. Snyder, 78, of Schofield, Wisconsin, formerly of Duluth, Minnesota, passed away on August 1, 2024, surrounded by the love of his family and his loyal and devoted wife, Shari. He was preceded in death by his parents, Boyd and Kathryn Snyder, and his youngest sister Bridget (Frank) LeGarde. James is survived by his wife Shari (nee Goetsch) Snyder; daughters Stephanie Unruh, Amy (Darren) Bacca, and Kristine (Jerimiah) Johnson of Las Vegas, Nevada; his granddaughters Alexandra and Elizabeth; grandsons, Jonathan, and Bohdi; and his great granddaughter; his sisters, Sharon (Edward) Glennen of San Angelo, Texas, Mary (John) Robinson of Palm Harbor, Florida; brothers Michael (Lane) Snyder of St. Paul,

Minnesota, and Mark (Janet) Snyder of Woodbury, Minnesota and brothers-in-law Steve Goetsch of Wausau, WI and Peter Goetsch of Eland, WI. James will also be missed by many nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

 James was born on July 8, 1946 in Duluth, Minnesota. He loved the Raliegh Street neighborhood of West Duluth where he became known as a fierce competitor in baseball and hockey. Everyone also admired his souped-up 1955 Chevy. James graduated from Denfeld High School in 1965, and enlisted in the United States Navy, serving until October 1969. James completed three tours with the 14th Air Wing aboard the USS Constellation (CV-64) in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam War. As a Second-Class Photographic Intelligence Man (PT2), James discovered the first mobile, surface to air missile site south of the Demilitarized Zone. He was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V. After returning from the war with an Honorable Discharge, James worked in the insurance industry while attending classes at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Soon thereafter, he began a storied career with the United States Postal Service where he served for thirty-one years, as a letter-carrier, supervisor of postal operations and the Postmaster in both Chisolm and Virginia, Minnesota. James retried in 2003 and devoted much of his free time to golfing and gardening with his beloved wife, Shari. They golfed the Virginia golf course daily for several years where James developed a single-digit handicap. 

Together, James and Shari built a fabulous garden at their home in Virginia, which drew in admiring onlookers. Also, James loved the outdoors. He chased walleyes all over Northern Minnesota and Ontario. He especially loved the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and the extended trips to Brule Lake with his brothers. James also spoke fondly of his trips to Lac Suel in Ontario, Canada, where boating over a hundred walleye’s a day was not unusual. He loved bass fishing on Pleasant Lake near Eveleth, Minnesota and boated a 5 lb Largemouth out of Sturgeon Lake in Central Minnesota. James and Shari loved their dogs; Brittany’s, Boston Terriers, and a huge fluffy, adorable Samoyed. James loved to hunt. He vacationed several years with his Brittany, Jake, in Southwestern North Dakota, chasing Ring-necked Pheasant and Sharp-tailed Grouse.

His Boston Terriers, Rudy, and Katie, are now the loved companions of his life. James is a jigsaw puzzle fanatic. He and Shari spent countless hours on challenging 1000-piece jigsaws. James believed sobriety was a virtue. One of his most cherished accomplishments was working the AA program and his 47 years of sobriety. He also gave back to the program through sponsorship of others living that lifestyle. In lieu of remembrances or memorials, James and Shari request you take a child fishing or hunting; or help your neighbor put in a garden.