Our Papa, My Brother, Our Son
Lucas James Snyder, 52, Born February 21, 1972, in Port Townsend passed away on March 2, 2024. Luke is survived by his parents Bill and Laura Snyder, brother, Scott Snyder, two daughters Julianne and Adeline, and mom Veronica Cortez, nieces Kiersten Snyder, Cailey Takamoris, Brendon and nephew Jared Snyder & Kathleen and children Lily and Elliot.
Lucas graduated from Chimacum High School in 1990 and went to Tacoma Community College his first year, then transferred to Western Washington University and graduated with a degree in Automotive Technology in 1994. He did internship training at Paccar Technical Center and started working there.
Lucas was so unpredictable and in his last year of college decided to become a teacher. His first teaching job was at Bellevue High School. Then he changed plans again and off he went in his Big Blue Ford pickup with a twin mattress in the back to Minnesota State University and received a Master degree in Manufacturing Engineering at Mankato. Coming back from Minnesota he had no money so ventured out again and took a job at St. George Island, Baring Sea, Alaska working for Kelly Ryan Inc. as a mechanic. It was hard to find mechanics to go to St. George and even though he was not trained he had no trouble with fixing equipment. He returned with a pocket full of money and then decided to teach again.
His passion was to make a difference in every student's life. He worked at Port Townsend and Chimacum High Schools 1⁄2 days, Woodland School District, Kelso H.S., than West Sound Technology in Bremerton. The love for family was in his heart. He was always taking care of us making sure in every detail that we were ok. His Great Grandpa Bishop was one of the 13 children who lived on the Egg & I and would often mention it on occasion and he adored his Grandparents Jiggs and Eileen Lopeman who spent time with all their grandchildren trout fishing at the lakes nearby at a very young age. Luke with his brother washed log trucks and vehicles for many businesses including their Dad at a very young age. He bought his own dirt motorcycle and truck when he was able to drive.
He enjoyed working in the woods with his brother and Dad delivering firewood and working in Dad's shop. He loved his two little girls Julianne and Adeline planning every day for when they arrived and spending quality time with them when they were here. They took their first road trip last summer to Silverwood Theme Park Idaho. Can you imagine two little girls 5 and 7 on a road trip? They had a great time but had to cut it short because of the fires, taking back roads to get out of the smoke. He took them to Grey Wolf Lodge several times and ventured to Seattle to the Space Needle with Grandma. We had many family dinners at the beach, family picnics, birthdays, Thanksgivings, Christmas, and Easter together. We will miss him every day.
Memorial celebration will be held April 13 at 12:30 p.m. at Greenwood Cemetery and Port Townsend Elks Club at 2:00 p.m.
