Pete Edward SKINNER

Passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 17 at his home in Santa Rosa, California at age 75 after a long fight with heart disease. He was born in San Rafael, CA on April 8, 1937 to Frank and Ethyl Skinner and was raised in Bolinas, CA. Pete was recruited into the US Army at age 22 and traveled to Germany during a three year tour as a tank mechanic. After returning, he soon met and married the love of his life, Janet, in March, 1964 and they lived in Petaluma for 33 years before moving to Redding, CA. Pete was an enthusiastic and talented auto mechanic and worked for Ford and Chevrolet during a nearly 40 year career. Outside of his job, he was always busy rebuilding vehicles and among his most prized was a 1927 Model T Ford that he loved to drive across the countryside. He was generous with his abilities and time and never turned away family or friends who were in need of an automotive repair. As an avid sportsman, Pete spent many of his earlier days deer hunting in the "mountains" outside of Santa Rosa. Later, fishing became his passion and he enjoyed many lazy, hot days on lakes of northern California. Pete loved to take long road trips with Janet and together they toured much of the western states and Alaska. He had a jovial nature and easily struck up conversations with strangers. Pete was preceded in death by his parents and five siblings, Loretta Brower, Frank Skinner, "Bud" Skinner, Bob Johnson and Fred Skinner. His memory lives on with his loving friends and family including his wife Janet Skinner, daughters Pamela Wilding and Jacqueline Kawahara, son John Skinner, sisters, Betty Skinner, Ann Wernhardt, and Rowena Thornton, and five grand children. A gathering of family and friends to celebrate Pete's life will be held in late September on a date to be announced.