Gerald Rudd Snyder, 84, of Port Neches, lost his battle with cancer after a year and a half on Wednesday, September 17, 2014. He was born in Dallas on August 1, 1930, to Herman and Jamie Snyder and was a longtime resident of the Port Arthur area.

Gerald was an Air Force veteran having served in the Korean War.  He was a natural born groceryman and owned a number of different grocery stores over the years, the last store being Minit Mart #2 on 25th Street in Port Arthur which he owned for 30 years. Gerald was a proud member of the Wesley Sunday School Class, was active in Methodist Men, and was head usher for many years at the Methodist Temple. He was a Mason.  He enjoyed working out with his YMCA friends, and he served Meals on Wheels for 17 years. He had many friends and was loved by everyone.

Survivors include Tanua Snyder, his wife of 63 years; brother Jimmy Glen Snyder of Houston; children Jerrilee Meeker and her husband Pete of Austin, Charles Edward Snyder of Port Acres, Kent Lewis Snyder and his wife Katie of Houston, Mark Conrad Snyder and his wife Debbie of Austin, and Jancie Snyder of Dallas; grandchildren Carrie Friedrich and her husband Leon, Garrett Meeker and his wife Courtney, Rebecca Meeker, John Meeker, Emily Snyder, John Snyder, Tania Snyder, Katie Snyder, and Travis Snyder; great grandchildren Brooke and Hudson Friedrich, Austin Kathleen Meeker, and Jadie, Natalie, and Christopher Snyder.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Kenneth and Billy Snyder, and two sisters-in-law Lola Snyder and Jimmie Lou Snyder.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 27 at the Methodist Temple, 4101 Hwy 73, Port Arthur, with a reception to follow at the church, under the direction of Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland.

Memorial contributions may be made in Gerald’s memory to the American Cancer Society, 755 South 11th St., Suite 212, Beaumont, TX 77701 or the United Methodist Temple, 4101 Hwy 73, Port Arthur, TX 77642.

The family would like to extend its appreciation to Compassion Hospice.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. - 2 Timothy 4:7