Donald "Don" Gene Snyder passed away on November 29, 2022, at the age of 90. Warrensburg, Missouri was his home for the past 44 years.

Don was born on March 2, 1932 in Osceola, Missouri to Glen T. and Viola E. (Simmons) Snyder. He was the third of four boys and lived the first nine years of his life in Osceola. His family moved to Clinton, Missouri in 1941, where Don was an outstanding all-around athlete, excelling at football, basketball, track, and baseball. Upon high school graduation in 1950, Don was recruited by the University of Missouri to play football, basketball, and track, but after one year at MU, Don joined the Navy during the Korean Conflict. Don was selected for Communications Technician School while in San Diego, California, and after graduation was sent to Adak, Alaska. After one year on Adak he was sent to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii for the duration of his tour. Don was proud to have served as a "Communication Technician" and was equally proud to have played basketball for the Pearl Harbor basketball team.

During his tour of duty in Hawaii, Don met and married Dolores Holeva, and they had four children in their twenty-one years together.

Upon separation from the Navy, Don enrolled at Central Missouri State College (now UCM), joined the football team, and was part of the successful, championship season of 1956. After graduation from CMSC, Don began a career of teaching and coaching some of the best young people in the world at Clinton, Marshall, Carrollton, Knob Noster, Sherwood, and Windsor. The last thirteen years of his career were devoted to serving as principal at Calhoun, Kingsville, Odessa, and Chilhowee. Don was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing golf with his friends and helping to plan golf events and organizations. Don was a member of the National Education Association, Missouri State Teachers Association, American Legion, Missouri Basketball Coaches Association, the Missouri Sports Administrators Association, and the First United Methodist Church of Warrensburg, Missouri.

Don was married to Shela (Duby) Moss from 1976 until her death in 2015.

Don's survivors include brother Dennis, and his wife, Carolyn; daughter Lizabeth and her husband Tim Rotert, daughter Glenna and her husband John Fleeman, son Donald Snyder, Jr. and his wife Pam, son Douglas Snyder and his wife Lana, and stepson Steve Moss. Don also leaves ten grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, friends, caregivers, and beloved dogs, Sam and Maggie.

Pallbearers are:  granddaughter, Sara Watkins; granddaughter, Claire Bowden; grandson, Jay Fleeman; grandson, Aaron Snyder; granddaughter, Whitney McLemore; and great-grandson, John Fleeman. Honorary Paul bearers are Bob Williams, Ted VanMeter, Marvin Rhoads, James Price, Richard Hendricks, Donal Bruns, and Bob McFarland.

Don often said "I really need to make it to heaven because there are a lot of people there who I need to thank for the help they gave me along the way in my life…And I am really anxious to see Shela again." In his own words, "my greatest accomplishment has been raising four wonderful and productive children."

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the UCM Donald G. Snyder Scholarship, c/o Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home.