Tree Fruit Pioneer Passes Away

John J. Snyder Sr., 96, of Wenatchee, WA, passed away at Highgate Senior Living on Wednesday, November 30, 2011.

John was born in Ephrata, WA, to Jacob Albert (Bert) Snyder and Ethel Ruby Florence on August 28, 1915. John made Wenatchee his home for the majority of his life. After graduation from Wenatchee High School in 1933, John went to Washington State University beginning in 1934 and in 1935 enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and became a flight school instructor obtaining the rank of Staff Sargent. While stationed at Hill Air Force Base, Ogden, UT, John met the love of his life Mary Ann Piccone while he was on leave with an army buddy from Denver, CO. John & Mary Ann were married on January 6, 1946.

After his completion in the military, John was hired by Jackson and Perkins Rose growers as their General Manager of operations. Under Mr. Perkins, John & Mary Ann’s first home was in Pleasanton, CA, where the rose growing grounds were located. In 1955 John was asked by his father Bert to consider moving back to Wenatchee and becoming a partner in the family business, C&O Nursery Co., joining his two brothers Gene and Bob. John decided to move back to Wenatchee and take his father’s offer and ended up working for C&O Nursery Co until his retirement in 1989 as the President and CEO of the company.

John was past President of Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association (WSNLA) serving two terms as President in 1956 and 1957. John was awarded an Honorary Life Membership in WSNLA and received the Pioneer Award in 2006; he was a past member of the American Nursery and Landscape Association and served as Washington State’s Governor for the AAN. John was a life member of the Elks, and the Knights of Columbus Council 1545 and just received an honor during their 100th year anniversary celebration for being a member for 77 years — the oldest living Knight member in the Wenatchee area. John was also a member of the American Legion, the Eagles and an Honorary Chapter Farmer of the FFA.

John loved traveling, dancing, swimming and working in the family business.

John and Mary Ann are survived by six children: sons John Jr (Jack), (wife Jan) E. Wenatchee; Richard (Dick), (wife Barbara) Wenatchee; Gary, (wife Teresa) E. Wenatchee; daughters Patricia (Pat) Norton, (husband Curt) Wenatchee; Judy Johnson, (husband Jay) E. Wenatchee and Sandra (Sandi) Clark, (husband Tim) Wenatchee. John is also survived by his brothers Robert (Bob) of Wenatchee and Albert of Dayton, WA and sister, Margaret Sampson, (husband Don) of Wenatchee. John was preceded in death by his parents; wife Mary Ann; brother, Eugene (Gene) and sister Florence Dolwick. John had 13 Grandchildren, 9 Great Grandchildren and one on the way.