Jerry Snyder; 1939 – December 20, 2023

Jerry Snyder 84, of Oakridge passed away on December 20, 2023, after a short battle with lung cancer.

Jerry, born in 1939 in Maquoketa, Iowa. A 1957 graduate of Lost Nation High School and 1961 graduate of Upper Iowa University with a degree in Physical Education and Biology. Jerry worked for the USFS in the summers before entering graduate school at the University of Oregon then beginning his teaching career at Oakridge High School. Jerry was an assistant football coach for numerous years as well as assistant basketball coach prior to taking the head coaching position for 8 seasons. In 1976 Jerry was named the head baseball coach. Jerry spent 28 summers coaching the Oakridge Junior Baseball Program. His 1982 high school team had a 21-2 record winning the Trico League Championship. Losing to St. Marys of Medford in the State Championship 2-1. During this time Jerry was also named Athletic Director at Oakridge. He served as A.D. and Assistant Principal until his retirement in 1995. Jerry was named Trico League “Coach of the Year” in ’82, twice named A.D. of the year by the OADA. Jerry was also honored as Oakridge H.S. Teacher of the Year in 1994.

In 1999, Jerry was inducted into the Oregon H.S. Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame. Upon retirement, the Oakridge High School Gymnasium was named in his honor and in 2023, Jerry was inducted into the Oregon Athletic Directors Hall of Fame.

Jerry married Lena K. Wanker in 1969. She was the girls’ PE teacher and a coach at Oakridge High School. Their teaching partnership continued throughout their careers. Following Jerry’s retirement, he enjoyed watching his grandkids play ball in their sporting events and golfing with Lena. He was also an avid Oregon Duck fan who enjoyed going to home football games.

Jerry is survived by wife Lena of 54 years, son Jimmy (Stacey), son Tracy (Megan), daughter Claudine (Joe) and 10 grandchildren, sisters-in-law Janet Snyder Hanson and Linda Snyder. He was preceded in death by his parents Wilmer and Betta Snyder, triplet brothers Gerry and Terry, younger brother David and a sister in infancy and grandson Lucas Mendazona.

A Celebration of Life: Saturday, January 20, 2024, 10:00am at Oakridge High School in Jerry Snyder Gymnasium. Reception following at Circle Bar Golf Club.