Charles Ross Snyder, Sr., 85, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday, July 16, 2021. He was born February 13, 1936 at his home in Strafford, MO to Clarence (Con) Orvil and Letha “Marie” Snyder. Charles attended Fair Grove High School and enlisted with the United States Army on October 5, 1954. He was united in marriage on January 26, 1958 to Dewey “Jewel” (Andrews) in Houston, MO. He was a member of Broadway/Crossway Baptist Church. He spent his days working as a mechanic, taking care of his wife, and enjoying his kids and grandkids.

Charles was a simple, yet very smart man. He learned to farm the land at the young age of 5. In school he was in the FFA club, where he showed sows; and was the ball boy for the basketball team. After his time in the military, Charles became a mechanic. He learned the trade from his dad. Charles and his son Eldon started a mechanic shop named Little Country Tire Shop, which later became SS Automotive. He built the reputation of being the best mechanic around. At Broadway Baptist Church, Charles held many roles- trustee, usher, nursery worker, bus driver, VBS volunteer, and many more. If the church doors were open, he was there to help in some form. Of all the accomplishments Charles achieved in his life, family was most important to him. At the age of 21, when he married Jewel, he also became a father figure to her 11 brothers and sisters.

During his time in the military, Charles was in the 299th Combat Engineer Battalion. They built floating bridges. He had taken Infantry and Engineer training. In 1956, he was a sharpshooter with the M-1 rifle. He was also a .30 caliber machine gun operator. He earned an Army of Occupation Medal for his time spent rebuilding Germany after WWII. He also earned a Good Conduct Medal for his time in service.

Charles is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Condelier (Connie) Fern; his son, Eldon Wayne Snyder; and son-in-law, Billy Jones. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jewel; four children: Charles (Chuck) Ross Snyder Jr and  Trish of Springfield, Tresea Snyder of Marshfield, Robert Snyder, Sr of Fair Grove, Lisa Jones of Fair Grove; thirteen grandchildren: Staci and James Hoffman, BJ and Jana Jones, Chris and Lacey Coble, Tana and Frankie McMurrey, Brandi and Daniel Arnold, Anthony and Shawna Coble, Dustin and Hannah Johnson, Robby and Amanda Snyder, Brandon and Gina Hirayama, Korey and Holley Johnson, Eric and Cristen Snyder, Chad and Heather Burgener, and Luke and Tori Snyder; and 29 great grandchildren along with a host of many family and friends.

Funeral services to be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday July 24, 2021 at Crossway Baptist Church with burial to follow at Bass Chapel Cemetery in Strafford, MO. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday July 23, 2021 at Greenlawn East Funeral Home.