Don C. Schneider, former president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America, passed away yesterday morning, May 23, in Burleson, Texas, where he was living with Marti, his wife and partner in ministry. He was 76.
Schneider served as NAD president for 10 years. He was elected to the office in 2000 at the General Conference Session in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Previous to that, he served in various conference ministries in Oklahoma, Oregon, and the Central Union, and was president in five conferences — Wyoming, New Jersey, Arkansas-Louisiana, Rocky Mountain, and Northern California.
After the Schneiders retired in 2010, Don and Marti pastored the Denver South Church in Colorado for three years. They have been settled in Texas since 2013.
“Don Schneider was truly a powerful and well loved leader in our church,” said Gary Thurber, president of the Mid-America Union Conference. “He would begin each talk he gave by saying ‘Jesus is my friend,’ and wanted all he came in contact with to have Him as their friend too. He went out of his way to care for people like no leader I have ever seen. He served here in the Mid-America Union on three separate occasions, each time with distinction and grace. On a personal note, Don had a profound influence on my ministry journey with his support and wise counsel.”
Pastor Schneider is survived by his wife, Marti, daughter Carol, son Don Jr., and daughter-in-law Dorothy.
The memorial service for Elder Schneider will be held at the Keene Seventh-day Adventist Church in Keene, TX on Tuesday, May 28. The visitation begins at 10 am with the service at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Don Schneider to the Worthy Student Fund of Joshua Adventist Multi-grade School.
Keene Seventh-day Adventist Church
114 S Fairview St.
Keene, TX
Joshua Seventh-day Adventist Church/Joshua Adventist Multi-grade School
1912 Conveyor Dr.
Joshua, TX 76058
