With grief we report the death of our beloved father Duke Snyder, 87 of Casselberry, Florida passed away Sunday, January 5, 2020. Mr. Snyder was born April 21, 1932 in Liverpool Township, Ohio to Roy W. Snyder and Grace Ferguson.

Duke was born in a one room log cabin, an old trapper's cabin above the Allegheny River in Wellsville, OH. He was 1 of 9 children, 8 whom were boys. He graduated from East Liverpool High School in 1950 as the state wrestling champion in his weight class. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1952 and became 1 of 7 children who were in service at the same time during the Korean War. After the service in the Army, Duke moved to Dayton OH in 1955 where he, along with 3 brothers joined the Ironworkers union. In 1957, Duke became a member of the Masonic Riverview Lodge No. 717 and eventually earned the Masonic 32nd degree through York Rite, specializing in Chapter, Council and Commandery.

Duke married Beverly Sweatt in 1964 and had 3 children, Karen, Greg and Jon. The lived on a 10 acre, gentleman's farm in Darke County, OHIO for 10 years where the family raised cows, chickens, and horses. They farmed soybeans and tobacco as cash crops. In 1980 the family moved to Maitland Florida where Duke eventually became a part of the Orlando FL Ironworkers union # 808. Duke and Beverly divorced in 1984 and he purchased a home on a golf course in Casselberry.

Duke worked a variety of jobs for a while then he worked at Walt Disney World for 10 years, making the first and last weld on the Epcot Ball structure and also worked on the Disney monorail system. After his time at Disney, he began working for a private contractor in the Bahamas building a iron and concrete mountain structure with waterfalls, slides and water pools. He then worked as a welder on a water dredge in New Smyrna Beach FL at Ponce Inlet and later traveled with the Dredge to Savannah GA and worked on the inland waterways for a few years. Duke worked as an Ironworker for over 50 hard-working years!

Not long after, Duke began working for Haley Construction in Sanford FL as a welder\fabricator. He eventually opened up his own business "Dukes-Place" in Sanford for about 12 years and eventually moved the shop to his residence in Casselberry. Importantly, Duke belonged to the Casselberry FL Sculptors Guild for many years and has been honored to have one of his iron sculptures on permanent display depicting "How Great Thou Art" in front of the Casselberry Art House. Duke was not only a skilled craftsman but a creative one! Other creations are at his family's homes, including several Kokopelli statues.

Duke is survived by his former wife Beverly, Karen and her daughters Jennifer, Danielle; Greg (Zoe) their son Davis and two daughters Paige, Morgan; Jon (Lindy) and their son Eric and daughter Abby; and numerous in-laws and by many loving friends.

Duke's Rules for a Good Life!
1 - Live a Simple Life
2 - Spend less than you earn
3 - Think constructively
4 - Cultivate a yielding disposition
5 - Be grateful
6 - Rule your own mood
7 - Give generously
8 - Be interested in others
9 - Live one day at a time
10 - Have a happy disposition
11 - Keep close to GOD

In lieu of Flowers the family requests donations be made to Saint Joseph's Indian School (give.stjo.org)

Memorial Service is scheduled for Friday, January 31st, 2020 at 12:00 Noon, All Saints Episcopal Church, 338 E. Lyman Ave., Winter Park, FL