Lexington, KY — James “Jim” Snyder, 74, a well known Ohio horse owner for many years, died Nov. 14, 2020, at Brookdale Memory Care Center. Mr. Snyder died of Alzheimer’s disease, surrounded by his family.

Mr. Snyder owned such notable racehorses as Camsurge, Real Hanover, Durgin Hanover, and Casino Miss, winners in winter series action at The Meadowlands for Mr. Snyder’s primary trainers, Rodney Bolon and Mark Ford. He also campaigned the successful Predator DVM in partnership with Dean Davis. One of the last horses Mr. Snyder raced before becoming ill was Flawless Lindy, the dam of Southwind Frank.

Mr. Snyder and his wife loved to go to the track to watch racing and for many years attended the Little Brown Jug day program with Dean Davis and his wife, Martha. Mr. Snyder was also a sponsor of racing at the Delaware County Fair for many years.

Born on Christmas Day, 1945, Mr. Snyder was reared north of Wooster, Ohio. He married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy “Dottie” Pinnicks, and they lived their lives in Wooster. They enjoyed 55 years of undeniable commitment and love to one another. The two are proud parents of Deborah Snyder Welch (married to James) and Douglas James Snyder (married to Beth), who share wonderful memories with their dad from showing steers at the county fair to water skiing at Lake Buckhorn when they were young.

Mr. Snyder’s hard work and ambition drove him to start and grow Snyder Excavating in Wooster, where he claimed all of his employees as family. His legacy of loyalty and helpful demeanor gained him much success.

After 32 years, he retired and spent time traveling cross-country and globally with Dottie and his family. The highlight of his retirement was the purchase of a 107-acre gentleman’s farm, which he manicured from a jungle of downed trees into a park-like setting. The purchase brought him full circle from his childhood farm days and certainly became his “Happy Place.”

In addition to his wife and children, Mr. Snyder is survived by one granddaughter, Nicole Woodward Welch; grandson, Luke James Welch; brother, Terry (Judy); brothers-in-law, Paul (Norma Jean) Pinnicks and Roger (Sandy) Pinnicks; sister-in-law, Diana Snyder; and numerous nieces, nephews and many loving cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mr. Snyder’s memory may be made to The Wayne County Community Foundation, 517 N Market St., Wooster, OH 44691 or Central Christian Church, 407 N Market St., Wooster, OH 44691.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.