Jeffrey Jackson Skarda

1944 - 2025

Jeffrey Jackson Skarda, 81, of Houston, TX, died on September 28, 2025, with his wife of 20 years, Penny, at his side.
Jeff was born June 22, 1944 in Clovis, New Mexico to Lynell and Kathryn Skarda. After graduating from Clovis High School in 1962, he attended Washington & Lee University in Virginia. He then studied law at Columbia University in New York, where he was an active member of the Law Student Civil Rights Association and negotiator during the 1968 student occupation, graduating with a JD in 1969.
Jeff arrived in Houston in 1969 as a VISTA volunteer, working as an attorney in Houston's Third Ward. He worked for Gulf Coast Legal Foundation (later Lone Star Legal Aid) for many years and then continued in private practice. He was well-known for his work on welfare rights, elder law, social security and disability, administrative law and appellate practice. Jeff spent his entire career as an attorney helping others. He worked tirelessly with politicians, lay leaders and church ladies, to bring about better conditions for the children of Houston, even bringing their problems to the U.S. Supreme Court in lawsuits on behalf of the Houston Welfare Rights Organization. His colleagues remember him as generous with his time, and the young attorneys he mentored remember that he followed up on their careers. When at his retirement party colleagues called him a "Legend," his family was surprised - they loved him for his gentle ways, quiet reflections on world events, and quirky sense of humor.
Jeff was an avid golfer. Wherever he travelled, he visited law libraries and local golf courses. In the later years of his life, Jeff also served on the Board of Directors at his family's community bank, The Citizens Bank of Clovis, in New Mexico. This allowed him to frequently visit his hometown and home state, introducing his grandson to the game of golf, and regaling his family with stories from growing up in New Mexico - frequently featuring memorable visits to golf courses.
In 1970, he married Julia Summerhill (née Shaw) of Frederick, Maryland, a fellow VISTA volunteer. Jeff and Julie raised their three children together in Houston before separating. Jeff was fortunate to meet Penny Cerling, marrying her in 2005. Their combined families brought him four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Jeff was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Patricia Lyn Skarda, Katrina Skarda Green, and Gregory A.F. Skarda. He leaves behind his wife, Penny Cerling of Houston, TX, ex-wife, Julie Summerhill of Frederick, MD, his children Tom Skarda of Frederick, MD, Jennifer Skarda-McCann (Henry) of Madison, NJ, Loren Skarda (Ashley) of Rehoboth Beach, DE, his stepchildren Robert Bowen of Houston, TX, Lewis Bowen (Jaymee) of Austin, TX, Eave Andrews (Chris) of Richmond, VA, grandchildren Henry Nathaniel McCann, Ainsley Skarda, Juliette Skarda, L. Vincent Bowen, and great-grandchildren Evalynn Jackson, Odin Andrews, and Arwyn Andrews.
Cremation has taken place. His memorial service will be held at a later date at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston, followed by a repast gathering with good food and golf books (which friends are encouraged to take home and study earnestly). A separate service will be held in Clovis, NM. Inurnment will follow at Plains Sanctuary Mausoleum, Mission Garden of Memories in Clovis.