Marvin John Snyder, aged 96, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 6, 2024, at Merrill Gardens in Santa Maria, California. Before his passing, friends and family members gathered at his side expressing their love to him.

Marvin John Snyder spent 36 years with the University of California Cooperative Extension in Santa Maria, was a founding member of St. Andrew United Methodist Church, and a great supporter of the Santa Barbara County Fair.
Marvin John Snyder spent 36 years with the University of California Cooperative Extension in Santa Maria, was a founding member of St. Andrew United Methodist Church, and a great supporter of the Santa Barbara County Fair. Credit: Snyder family photo

Marvin was born January 10, 1928, to Hannah and Otho (Dutch) Snyder in Underwood, North Dakota. He was the youngest of six, three boys and three girls.

Marvin graduated from Underwood High School in 1946 and enrolled in the University of North Dakota at Grand Forks. After two years at the university, he moved to Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, to concentrate on a degree in agriculture.

Prior to graduation, he married his high school sweetheart, Luella E. Johnson, on March 25, 1951, in Underwood, North Dakota. The couple moved to Ames, where Marvin graduated in June 1951.

Immediately following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy for a period of four years because the Korean War was ongoing. The couple moved from one coast to the other, with many stops in between during those four years. He was discharged from the Navy on July 12, 1955.

Following a brief time in North Dakota, the couple moved to Santa Maria, California, where Marvin was employed by the University of California in its Cooperative Extension based in Santa Maria. His work was with the vegetable and strawberry industries in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. He retired from the University of California in 1991 after 36 years of service.

Marvin was very involved in serving his community. He was a founding member of St. Andrew United Methodist Church, where he served in a number of capacities. He was a member of the Santa Maria Elks Lodge and the Delta Tau Delta fraternity.

Marvin was a great supporter of the Santa Barbara County Fair in Santa Maria and served on the Board of Directors for many years. He loved working with the youth, assisting 4-H members with their vegetable and animal participation.

In the early 1990s, Marvin established Friends of the Fair, with profits from concession sales going to improvements for the fair.

Marvin was known for his quick wit, great sense of humor and a twinkle in his eye!

Marvin was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife, Luella Snyder; his two brothers and three sisters.

He is survived by his many nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, who will miss him greatly.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life Gathering at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 5 at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 3945 S. Bradley Road, Santa Maria 93455.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Andrew United Methodist Church.