Allen E. Snyder

March 1, 1922 – May 10, 2014

Allen E. Snyder was born on March 01, 1922 in Brownsville, Texas, but was raised in Longton, Kansas, where he graduated in 1940.

He shortly thereafter joined the Army Air Corps and graduated from the Academy of Aeronautics in Long Island, New York. After working as an Aircraft and Engine specialist for two years, he applied for pilot training. Graduating with Class 44, G Douglas Army Airbase, he was assigned to a crew which ended up at the 95th Bomb Group in England. He flew as co-pilot on J.L. Judy's crew for 16 missions, and then finished the war as co-pilot for Ralph Balzer, who had returned for his second tour of combat.

After the war, he served as Radar Bombardier on B-29s with the 93rd. Bomb Group at Castle A.F.B., Merced, California.

He was then called back to the Training Command to instruct cadets at Perrin A.F.B., Texas (incidentally, Col. Chester P. Gilger was Base Commander at Perrin A.F.B. at this time). From there, he was transferred to the Berlin Airlift, where he flew C-54's. He continued in the Transport Command flying C-47's, C-54's, C-131's, C-97's, C-74's and C-124's. In 1950, he was flying C-54's from Tachakawa, Japan, to Korea. After a tour of duty in the Panama Canal Zone, he was retired from the U.S.A.F as a Major.

He couldn't keep away from airplanes, so he went to Seattle, Washington, and helped build the first 50 Boeing 747 aircraft.

Allen passed away on Saturday, May 10, 2014 at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Brownsville, Texas.

He is preceded in death by his parents Frank and Daisy Snyder; his daughter; Scottie Sue Snyder; his brothers and sisters; Emmitt, Carl, Henry Snyder, Bessie McTee, Ruby Mckbblin, Mary Grayson, and Murtel Shanks.

Surviving is his brother Arthur Snyder of Lipan, Texas; sister; Dottie Kohl of McMurray, PA, and his daughter and son; Sally Gwartney of Coldwater, Kansas and Rodney Snyder of Montana.He is also survived by his niece Patricia (Rafael) Guzman Herrera and his close friend Rita D. Cantu.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 17, 2014 at Saint Lukes Catholic Church located at 2800 Rockwell Dr. in Brownsville, Texas. Interment of cremated remains will be at 1 p.m. Monday, May 19, 2014 at Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery located at 2520 S. Inspiration Rd. in Mission, Texas.