Derek Lawrence Snyder

7/12/1966 - 6/26/2024

Derek Lawrence Snyder was called home on June 26th, 2024. He was living in Carson City, Nevada. Derek was born to Roy Ashworth Snyder and Carole “Cassie” Ann Vaughn on July 12th, 1966, at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT. He was a part of the graduating class of 1984 at Alta High School in Sandy, Utah.

He is preceded in death by his father Roy and his mother Cassie. He is survived by his son Kaden Derek Snyder, his stepmother LuAnn Nelson (Roy) Snyder, his stepfather John Daniel Chivers, brother Rory Ashworth (Lisa) Snyder, Daniel Joseph Chivers, Jonathan Nelson (Julie) Snyder, Mathew John Chivers, Timothy Nelson (Jen) Snyder and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Derek was so loved by so many. He had such a sweet spirit and a great sense of humor. No matter his circumstances, good or bad, you’d always find Derek in a cheerful mood. Laughter was never in short supply with him as he was always smiling, laughing, making others laugh, and always made the best out of every situation. He had a knack for making friends easily no matter where he went. Derek was compassionate, understanding, sympathetic and was always willing to lend a hand without hesitation.

He loved to compete and was very good at working with his hands. In junior high school he competed in wrestling and BMX bike racing. He made amazing things in woodshop, and likely created the world’s first long skateboard. If he only knew then what they would become later.

In high school, he excelled in the Theater Arts. He participated in several high school theater productions, did fashion and modeling and was voted best looking in his class. He was a member of the State Championship Drama Team in 1982, was a master at pantomime and achieved many awards including the Senior Achievement Award for Superior State Drama/Pantomime in his high school junior year 1982-1983.

There wasn’t anything Derek couldn’t do, and he was never afraid of hard work. He could build fences, lay tile or flooring, remodel a bathroom shower, install your sprinkler system, landscape your entire yard or fix whatever needed fixing. He also had an amazing talent for taking a truckload worth of items and packing it all into a tiny little car leaving enough room to fully stretch out your legs! He held many jobs in construction, welding, tile setting and landscaping. He also worked in the golf industry being involved in sales and supervising a warehouse. One job he loved most though, was working at the airport as an aircraft fuel agent.

Derek had a sense of adventure and was always up for a hike, bike ride or doing anything that involved being outside in the fresh air, down at the lake, or up in the mountains. He was always good to stay up late with those that wanted to keep the cheer going, long after everyone else had turned in for the night.

He was an excellent skier and had a love for the outdoors and photography, but most of all Derek loved being a dad. Kaden was his greatest treasure. He loved having picnics in Big Cottonwood Canyon with his son and then wife Stacy. He enjoyed taking his son swimming at his brother Rory’s house, on bicycle rides, to the park, and watching movies together. He taught Kaden how to ride a bike in a single afternoon. In his later years, Derek enjoyed having many two-hour long phone calls with his son and loved spending time with Kaden at the family reunion up in Moab, Utah. I’m sure both Derek and Kaden will forever cherish these memories of lengthy conversations and moments of time spent together.

We will deeply miss his unending humor, the funny voices he’d mimic that would have you rolling with laugher, his infectious smile, gentle demeanor, and his cheerful and charming spirit. You will forever be in our thoughts and in our hearts.

Until we meet again, may you rest in peace.