James Jackie "Jack" Skinner

James Jackie Skinner, "Jack," as he was lovingly called by most, was born on February 10th, 1946 and died on May 25th, 2024. He lived 78 years.
He was born and raised in Owensboro, Kentucky. He received a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Kentucky. He and his wife Penny started a family and lived in Louisville, Kentucky, where he worked for the Army Corps of Engineers and contributed to the design and operation of dams and highways, primarily as a section officer of hydrology and hydraulics. Prior to retirement, Jack worked in the Hydraulics Branch, Air Force Section as PM, and worked on I-65 near KY/TN line in Franklin, KY. After retirement, he and Penny began caring for their grandchildren in their home.
Jack was kind, compassionate, creative, smart, enjoyed life, and spread a positive attitude and joy to all those who knew and loved him. He was never greedy with his creative abilities and made cakes for many birthdays, graduations, weddings, and just about anything dear friends wished to celebrate. He enjoyed dancing, listening to music, attending University of Kentucky football and basketball games, and long Friday night phone parties with his sister where he would turn on records and dance with his children during his younger years.
He showed devotion and commitment to his wife of 55 Years. He tutored his children, made dinner every night, and made sure to make time to enjoy life through bowling, traveling to places across the country to visit family, and help his children move. He was always readily available to lend a hand to anyone he cared for, and his culinary skills were well-known well known by all his family and friends.
His children felt his love and joy every day. He encouraged them to be fiercely independent, loving, compassionate, and faith-filled. He enjoyed watching them succeed in medicine, education, performing, designing, building, and following in his footsteps in the field of engineering.
He traveled all over to be a cheerleader to his fourteen grandchildren at sporting events, music performances, dance recitals, and more. Pappaw was always ready with a smile to see his grandchildren shine. He loved to poke fun and had a wonderful sense of humor to share with each of them. They never wondered how deep his love was as he cared for each of them before they started attending school. He was always was willing to pick up and transport when needed and prepared them meals and snacks.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, James Gilbert Skinner and Marjorie Patricia Fowler; his sister, Connie; and brother, Tony.
He is survived by his wife, Junella Louise "Penny" Skinner; their four children, Joseph Christopher Skinner (Laura), James Kevin Skinner (Heather), Jessica Marie Forst (Jordan), and Junette Liane Toe (Rob); his sisters, Joyce and Jane, and 14 grandchildren, Jake, Josie, Mackie (Chris and Laura), Barrett, Tucker, Cash, Knox (Kevin and Heather), Harlow, Ophelia (Jessica and Jordan), Ella, RJ, Griffin, Lincoln, Aila (Rob and Junette).
Jack's visitation will be 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm on Thursday, June 6th, at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road. His funeral Mass will held at 11:00 am on Friday, June 7th, at St. Martha Catholic Church, 2825 Klondike Lane, with burial to follow at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the University of Kentucky Pigman College of Engineering.