Jimmie Oliver Skjelstad

1936 - 2021

JIMMIE OLIVER SKJELSTAD Jimmie Oliver Skjelstad, 85, died September 26, 2021 in Chico of Covid related Pneumonia. Jim was born March 13, 1936 in Leadville, CO to Oliver P. and Ellen Killinen Skjelstad. The family moved to the Bay Area during WWII where he attended East Bay schools and graduated from Hayward High. While there, he was inspired to become a journalist/broadcaster by his teacher (and later State Assemblyman) Carlos Bee. After attending Broadcasting School in Portland, OR Jim worked at radio stations in Cottage Grove, OR, Crescent City and Red Bluff, CA and Reno, NV before coming to KPAY in Chico in 1962 as News Director. He was a 'Stringer' for the Associated Press, Northern California Correspondent for the Sacramento Bee, and later worked for the Chico Enterprise Record. He was known for his clear and accurate reporting of Government and Community news. Proud moments of his career included extensive work on the Juan Corona murder case and the opportunity to interview three Presidents (Kennedy, Nixon and Reagan), Barry Goldwater, Willie Brown and Carlos Bee. Jim served in the U.S. Naval Air Reserve from 1954 to 1961. Jim is survived by his former wife Lucy Sperlin, three children, Aleta (Dan) Hannum of Dayton, NV; Aric (Melody) Skjelstad of Tualatin, OR and Candace Bergstrom of Brier, WA; grandchildren Chris Hannum, Alyssa Hannum Servel, Garrett (Ashley), Rachael and Grant Skjelstad, and Cole and Mason Bergstrom; great grandchildren Macie and Drew Hannum, John Servel, Jr., Peyton Goff and Sebastian Aczon; brother Terry (Kate) Skjelstad and nephew Kaj Skjelstad of Fair Oaks. In retirement Jim spent his time playing golf and traveling. He especially liked the Bahamas and Hawaii. He spent recent years coordinating the rebuilding of his Magalia home that was lost in the 2018 Campfire. A short military service at the Northern California Veterans Cemetery in Igo is scheduled for November 15th at 9:30am.