Harold "Leon" Snyder

Harold "Leon" Snyder, of Prospect, OH, passed away from this life on July 2, 2012. He suffered from poor health for a number of years.

He was born the only child to Vincel L. and Bertha L. (Norton) Snyder on April 8, 1945 in Sedalia Missouri. Both preceded him in death.

He is survived by his wife Rustye Kaye (Roberson), children, Bret R. Snyder (Mia) of Marion, OH, Misti B. Gilmore (Jet) of Dallas, TX, Kris L. Snyder (Beth) of Chagrin Falls, OH, K. Sean Snyder (Kelli) of Delaware, OH. His grandchildren include, Brandon S. Snyder of Pittsburg, PA, Spencer L. Snyder of Cleveland, OH, Kasee A. Snyder and Kyler S. Snyder of Delaware, OH, Ella B. Snyder and Tess K. Snyder of Chagrin Falls, OH and Cheyenne J. Gilmore of Dallas, TX. In addition, he has one great-granddaughter, Keirra Snyder of Marion, OH.

Leon spent most of his formative years in rural Delaware County near Ashley, OH. He grew up on the family farm, often working for neighbors. He was in both 4-H and FFA which helped him mold his future occupational goals. He graduated as the last class of Elm Valley High School (Buckeye Valley Local Schools). His class motto was the alpha and omega (the first and the last). His father sold the farm when he graduated from high school. The family then moved to Marion, OH. Leon worked his way through school, OSU. His goal was to become a vocational agriculture teacher. He worked for his father, renovating houses, Kroger, Howison-Howard, and Huber-Warco before finishing his degree of Bachelor of Science from the Ohio State University in 1969. His first teaching job was at Tippecanoe High School in Tipp City, OH. His second school was at Greenville High School in Greenville, OH. Leon received his Master of Science from the Ohio State University in 1974. He taught at Big Walnut for 10 years. Leon's Big Walnut FFA chapter was recognized on local, district, state, and national levels in many areas of the program. In 1978 he received the Honorary State Farmer and American Farmer awards. In 1982, he moved to the Elgin Local School District. In 1989, he received the Ohio Vocational Agriculture Teacher of the year award. Leon was forced to go on disability due to his declining health. He worked part-time for a number of years as a consultant for the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation and Workers Compensation of Ohio. He enjoyed traveling and seeing the USA.

He visited all 50 states and all 88 of Ohio's counties. He enjoyed collecting record albums, listening to music, gardening, reading about history, and wood working.

Leon was very proud of his children and grandchildren. In addition, he took great pride in the lives he touched as a teacher and mentor as well as the achievements of those students' lives he touched.

A celebration of his life is planned for 5-8 p.m. Saturday, July 7, 2012 at All Occasions Catering, 6989 Waldo-Delaware Road, Waldo, OH 43356.

Messages of condolence may be shared with the family at www.NewcomerColumbus.com and for his love of agriculture in lieu of flowers please contribute to the Future Farmers of America at www.ffa.org.