Barry John Snyder

August 17, 1945 - May 15, 2016

Quite possibly the nicest guy you’ll ever know. Barry John Snyder passed away Sunday, May 15, 2016, after a weekend surrounded by his wife, children, and siblings. He loved his family and made sure they knew it. “Love you, be careful” was the standard parting comment, followed by “See you later.” Barry was the baby of the family, born August 17, 1945, to Gordon and Mildred Snyder. He joined his three older siblings on the family farm in Sherwood, Oregon. He made lifelong friends while attending Sherwood schools; Ron Vinson, David Cross, and his future wife, Ardis Steffen, just to name a few. He graduated from Sherwood High School in 1963, and joined the Army shortly afterwards. He was stationed at Ordnance Supply Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland, and then Southern European Supply in – Murnau, Germany. Upon his honorable discharge in 1966, his first order of business, besides handling the farm duties so that his parents could have a vacation, was the purchase of a 1967 Ford Mustang, in good old Lime Gold. He enjoyed that car greatly, and drove it until it was held together with duct tape and bailing wire. He held a few different jobs immediately after the service before settling in at U.S. Bank in downtown Portland, starting in the warehouse then moving to record storage for about 14 years. In 1985, he left the bank for the job from which he would retire; Adjutant for The American Legion, Department of Oregon. His job allowed him to incorporate his desire to serve others, promote the causes of veterans, and to create many lasting friendships during his travels. He was an honest, caring, fun loving, humorous, thoughtful, incredible man; a great husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He’s survived by his wife of 45 years, Ardis Steffen Snyder, his son Richard (Coni) Van Winkle, daughters Bonnie Snyder and Julie (John) Wichman; his grandchildren Kelli, Kylee, Jennifer, Aiden and Liam; great grandchildren Presley, Kira, Maddi, Bella, Sophia, Cooper and Aspen; brother Ron (Cathy) Snyder, sister Karen Baldwin, brother-in-law Louis Cross, best friend Ron (Kathi) Vinson, and many in-laws, nieces, nephews, friends and family too numerous to list, but not forgotten. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Yvonne Cross and his honorary brother David Cross. A memorial will be held at Attrell’s Funeral Home in Sherwood on Tuesday, May 24, at 11 am, followed by a gathering at The American Legion, Post 56, in Sherwood to share stories and memories. In lieu of flowers, as Barry liked to refer to them as weeds, please consider a donation to the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation, Inc., PO Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206, or your favorite charity.