Jay Snyder

Longtime Burlington, Colorado resident, Jay Snyder passed away on Monday, November 5, 2018 at the Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital in Burlington. He was 71 years old.

Jay was born on September 2, 1947 to Mort and Betty (Curtis) Snyder in Goodland, Kansas. Jay was their firstborn child, followed by his sister, Becki, and infant brother Mickey Paul.

Jay attended school in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado and graduated from Cheyenne Wells High School in 1966. Jay enjoyed participating in sports during high school, but especially loved football. He also worked after school at his parent’s hardware store, Gambles. Shortly after graduating high school, Jay had intended on attending Otero Junior College in La Junta, but with the country at war, he decided to enlist in the United States Air Force to serve his country. He joined the Air Force in January of 1967 and was honorably medically discharged in October of 1968.

Jay was stationed in Amarillo, Texas and on chance he met small town Texas girl, Judy Major who was attending college in Amarillo. They fell in love and wed on November 30, 1968 after he returned from the service.

Jay and Judy moved to Burlington, Colorado and started their family. Two daughters were born from this union, Lyn Ann in July 1970 and Dana Ravae in October 1973. Jay’s daughters were the light of his life.

Jay was manager/owner of Snyder’s Hardware in Burlington, Colorado for many years. After the hardware store closed, he was a heavy equipment operator for Andrews Sand and Gravel and later LaFarge. Jay was a very hard worker for all his life.

In his and Judy’s younger years, they enjoyed playing golf and they bowled on a league. In his later years, Jay enjoyed making metal flowers and birdhouses. The most important thing in Jay’s life was spending time with his wife, daughters and grandchildren. Jay and Judy would have celebrated 50 years of marriage on November 30, 2018.

Jay will be missed dearly by all who knew him. He was a wonderful husband, dad, Papa and friend.

Jay was preceded in death by his parents; Mort and Betty Snyder, and his younger infant brother Mickey Paul.

Left to cherish his memory are the love of his life, wife Judy Snyder of Burlington, Colorado, his daughter Lyn Snyder (David Craig) of Burlington, Colorado; Dana Snyder (Lance Olivas) of Clayton, New Mexico, granddaughters Miranda (Colton Watts) and Mikenna Mari of Burlington, Colorado, grandsons Dalton (Megan) Richards of Bethune, Colorado, Dylan Richards of Midland, Texas, sister Becki (Jerry) Andrews of Nevis, Minnesota, nephew Ty (Jodi) Andrews of Andover, Minnesota and numerous friends.

Memorials may be made to the Kit Carson County Ambulance Services in Jay's memory and may be left at or sent to Love Funeral Home, 377 15th Street, Burlington, Colorado 80807.