Jaiden James Snyder (Schmitt)

Jaiden James Snyder (Schmitt), age 23, of Rigby, Idaho, passed away on July 1, 2025, leaving behind an unfillable space in the hearts of those who truly knew and loved him.

Jaiden grew up in Ririe, Idaho, where he attended school and spent most of his childhood. In 2015, he moved to Menan, where he continued becoming the strong, compassionate, and quietly remarkable young man everyone knew him to be. At 17, he moved out to live with the love of his life—a short, but meaningful chapter in his journey. He later spent time in Idaho Falls, and eventually settled in Rigby, where he lived with his grandmother during the final year of his life.

From the moment he could speak, Jaiden stood out—able to name every car on the road with stunning accuracy. But it wasn’t just his sharp memory or quick wit that defined him. It was his compassion. His soul.

Jaiden was the kind of person who would stop to thank a veteran for their service—unprompted, from the time he was just a little boy. He would help elderly strangers load groceries, pull over for anyone broken down on the side of the road (even if he had no clue what to do), and give his time and energy without hesitation—even when he had nothing left to give. He didn’t ask for credit. He didn’t ask for anything. He just cared.

He was the hardest-working human you’d ever meet, and the most generous. His greatest strength—and sometimes his deepest wound—was how much he gave of himself. He showed up for his friends, even when they didn’t show up for him. He loved big, without apology.

Jaiden shared a powerful and unbreakable bond with his mother, Melissa Cardona. They were each other’s safe place—always there, no matter what. He also had a deeply meaningful relationship with his great-grandmother, Florence Walker, who helped raise him and shaped the kind, resilient heart he carried into the world.

He was the oldest of three, and a proud big brother to his sister, McKenna Schmitt (Cowen) of Menan; and his brother, Tucker Schmitt, also of Menan.

Jaiden is survived by his great-grandmother, Florence Walker; his loving mother, Melissa Cardona; his dad, Nicholas Schmitt; his stepfather, Josh Cardona; and his biological father, Eric Snyder. He is also survived by his grandma, Linda, and grandpa, Jim Beard; granny, MaryJo; grandpa, Arnell Snyder; his aunt, Kris—who he affectionately called “Aunt Tits;” his uncle, Brent; his uncle, Josh Snyder (Angel); cousin, JJ Snyder; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins who loved him deeply.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Todd Moore; his grandmother, Penny Lynn Davidson; and his uncle, Zachary James Beard.

A celebration of Jaiden’s life will be held at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, 2025, in the Best Buy parking lot, 2404 S, 25th E. All who truly knew him—who saw the love in his eyes and the goodness in his heart—are welcome to attend, share stories, and honor a soul that gave so much, even when it got so little in return.

In lieu of flowers, please perform an act of kindness in Jaiden’s name. Help a stranger. Thank a veteran. Call your mom. That’s how he lived—and that’s how he deserves to be remembered.

A final tribute from his dad, Nick:
“I hope you find what you were looking for—what you never found on earth.
I hope your smile is deep and real at last, and your pain replaced by mirth.
I hope you finally find acceptance—this really isn’t a square-peg kind of place.
Dreams are great if they’re approved… but loneliness burns at a different pace.
I hope you know that you were loved. I wish, through tears, we had more time.
I wish we had a lot of things.
But your dreams were yours… not mine.
I’ll miss you forever.”
—Dad

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.com.