Gerald (Jerry) E. Snyder

Gerald (Jerry) E. Snyder, age 78, of Tallahassee, FL, died December 20, 2013, after a decade-long struggle with cancer & COPD. He is survived by his wife of twenty-five years, Carolyn M. Cain (formerly of Tucker, GA). Jerry is also survived by his former wife and their daughter, A. Cecilia Snyder, Washington, D.C.; son, Gerald R. Snyder (Lisa); and grandchildren, Jerry and Amanda of Philadelphia, PA. He is mourned by sister-in-law, Charmane Marie Cain Stevenson, Knoxville, TN; stepchildren, Frederick A. Lehmann (Katrina), Marie Louise Lehmann, Becky Larson and friend, Sylvia Eder, Snellville, GA. Jerry and Carolyn spent fifteen years as full-time caregivers for Jerry's parents. He enjoyed delivering the occasional lecture on international affairs. He loved crossword puzzles and was a ferocious advocate for racial freedom and justice, international peace, immigration reform, education, and universal access to safe water, hygiene, and sanitation. He was fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. He admired and was inspired by Miguel de Cervantes' Don Quixote. Born June 14, 1935, in Akron, OH, Jerry graduated in 1953 from Green Township High School in Greenburg, OH, served honorably in the U. S. Marines, and earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Akron in 1962. Jerry then spent twenty-eight years as a Foreign Service Officer with the U. S. Department of State. His diplomatic posts included: La Paz, Cochabamba, Miami, Porto Allegro, Bogotá, New York City, Moscow, and Brussels. In 1983, he was sent to Beirut as part of the restoration team after the bombing of the Marine Corps barracks. He was particularly proud of serving as Chairman of the Administrative Operations and Management Courses for the Foreign Service Institute from 1972-75. Jerry was never one to boast about his experiences or the dangers he faced in service to his country, but he was always willing to share his skills and wisdom. After leaving the federal government, he served as Vice President and General Manager of Halifax Security Services in Honduras and after moving to Tallahassee, FL in 1987, as State Department of Management Services, Budget & Financial Administrator where he met Carolyn. A Celebration of Life was held at The United Church in Tallahassee (UCC). Graveside services with military honors will be held at 2 p.m., June 14, at Melwood Cemetery, Stone Mountain, GA, with Rev. Dee Dillin officiating. Remembrances may be made to: 1) United Church in Tallahassee (UCC); 2) Duncan Creek Congregational Christian Church, Buford, GA; or 3) Alliance Education Fund (empowering women & girls through education in Kenya). Checks may be mailed to PO Box 4323, Tallahassee, FL 32315.