A teenager who was tragically killed at the age of 17 February 17, 2023 was remembered at a boxing event March 22 at Galesburg-Augusta High School.
Kalamazoo Eastside Boxing owner and trainer Curtis Isaac, who networked with G-A High School and G-A Athletic Director Mike Woodard to organize the event, said he wanted to use the event to remember Jack Thomas Snyder, who was a Battle Creek Central senior when he was killed.
City of Kalamazoo Mayor David Anderson introduced Jack’s sister Meadow Snyder, a 2019 graduate of Climax-Scotts High School, and his brother, Liam Snyder, in the boxing ring. Before he presented Jack’s brother and sister a proclamation from the City Commission of the City of Kalamazoo, Anderson offered some thoughts about the importance of supporting young people, like the boxing event that was held at G-A did.
“Why do all of us come here? It’s to support each other. This is to support young people. It’s to support the idea of the community that we are people that take care of each other. And this evening, we are recognizing a young man who symbolized that. A young man, Jack Thomas Snyder, who lived his life for community. He cared about people, he showed kindness.
And in one very unfortunate event, he showed kindness to some other young people and ended up losing his life because of it,” said Mayor Anderson.
“I’m hoping that you’ll remember his name, because he’s an example of what we should all strive to do, which is care for each other,” adds the City of Kalamazoo Mayor.
Anderson concluded by recognizing Jack’s sister Meadow, and brother, Liam, noting how challenging this tragedy must have been for them and their family.
“Let’s live our lives with intentional kindness in the way that Jack lived his 17 years,” adds Mayor Anderson.
Anderson then read a proclamation developed by the City Commission of the City of Kalamazoo. It reads:
“Whereas, Jack Thomas Snyder was a well-rounded young man who enjoyed giving things a try to see if they were for him; and
“Whereas, he participated in marching band, swimming, and his true passion, soccer; and
“Whereas, Jack has been described as light-hearted, charismatic, athletic, and humorous; one who left a mark on all who met him; and
“Whereas, he was a member of the National Honor Society, The American Red Cross, and Link Crew. Jack was enrolled in the EMT program through Kellogg Community College and in the process of applying to GVSU; and
“Whereas, at Jack’s urging, his family welcomed Ivan Sanchez from Spain to their home as an exchange student and later he spent time in Spain; and
“Whereas, he had a zest for life and made the world a better place with his care and love for everyone; and
“Whereas, spending time with family and friends was one of his favorite things to do; and
“Whereas, Jack was tragically taken from this world at the young age of 17 on February 17, 2023.
“ON BEHALF OF THE 55th CITY COMMISSION, OF THE CITY OF KALAMAZOO we do hereby celebrate the life of Jack Thomas Snyder. Jack will be missed and forever remembered by all who knew him.”
Jack’s sister and brother said they were very surprised their brother was recognized and remembered at the event and deeply appreciated the kind gesture.
“I honestly didn’t really expect it,” said Jack’s brother, Liam.
“It’s definitely unexpected. It’s nice to know that the word is getting around about Jack, for what he did. People are getting touched by it, and that means a lot. Jack said he was always going to be popular one day when he got older and he’s popular now. He is famous. People in Germany know his name, so that’s amazing,” said Jack’s sister Meadow.
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