Martin Skinner Sr.

Martin Skinner, Sr.

Harriman, TN

Martin Joseph Skinner, Sr., of Harriman, passed away Wednesday, October 12, 2016 at the age of 93 at Renaissance Terrace in Harriman. He was a long term member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Oak Ridge, and had served on the Vestry, as Chalice Bearer, and as a Lector. He had been active for over 30 years in the Episcopal Churchmen of Tennessee serving as Vice President and Secretary. Martin obtained both his BS and MS degrees from Michigan State University. He had also attended LSU in Baton Rouge and Washington University, St. Louis. He came to Oak Ridge in mid-1944 as a member of the Army Specialized Engineering Detachment working in Y-12 servicing the electrical equipment associated with the electromagnetic separation technology. After college, he returned to Y-12 working on stable isotope separation, and later as the Patent Section head for ORNL. He retired from that position at the end of 1980, and became employed with Pitts & Brittian, a patent law firm in Knoxville. He was the co-founder of the Tennessee Inventors Association and served in many officer positions. He retired again in 1999.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Frances Skinner; a sister, Fran; and infant brother, Curtis; and a daughter, Mary. He is survived by his devoted wife, friend and pal, Dorothy of 70 years. Other survivors are four sons and their wives: Bill and Annie of Gatlinburg, Bob of Florida, Martin, Jr. and Robbin of North Carolina, Mike of Kingston; granddaughters Courtney Licata, great-granddaughter, Aubrey of North Carolina and Lindsay Skinner of Florida also survive Martin.

He was very active in service work in his community. He had served on the City Council of Kingston for 6 years, and had been a member of the Kingston Lions Club for over 50 years serving in all officer positions, as well as being Secretary and committee chairs of the Lions International District 12N. Martin was a holder of a U. S. Patent. For over 30 years he had been a member of the Holston Rose Society, and affiliate of the American Rose Society serving as President two terms as well as being the editor of their monthly newsletter for more than 15 years. He had two articles published in the national magazine of the ARS, and won the top award in a class of ARS publications for a booklet he edited.

There will be a reception on Friday, October 14, 2016 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Kyker Funeral Home in Kingston. A memorial service will be conducted by the Rev. David Lovette at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Oak Ridge on Saturday, October 15, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Kingston Lions Club at Box 325, Kingston, the Michael Dunn Center at 169 Gallaher Road, Kingston or to St. Stephens Episcopal Church at Tulane Avenue, Oak Ridge or to an organization of your choice. Kyker Funeral Home in Kingston in charge of arrangements. www.kykerfuneralhomes.com