Gary Alan Skubal

Gary Alan Skubal obituary

Gary Alan Skubal

Gary Skubal Obituary

Published by Legacy from Jul. 22 to Jul. 23, 2025.
LTC Gary Alan Skubal

Gary was born on December 7th, 1956 in Woodland, California to Lumir Jess and Reta Jean (Hubbard) Skubal, the third of three children. He grew up in Hollister, California in a bungalow at the edge of a prune orchard, and, attended the local grade school and high school. As both his parents were teachers with summers off, he spent every summer on the family farm in Kansas.

From the time he was little, watching birds or airplanes flying over he dreamt of the day he would fly, too. It was only natural, then, that he dreamed of attending the Air Force Academy and getting his pilot's wings (like his father before him in the Army Air Corps).

As a freshman at the Academy, earning his degree in aeronautical engineering, after watching a conversion film of one of their Generals, Gary felt called to join the Family of God; and, after graduation, by this time being married to his first wife Carole, he was baptized in Ellsworth, South Dakota. His first daughter, Jessica Renee, was born there, as well.

Tired of sitting alert as Co-pilot on his B-52 crew, he decided to transfer into the Army to fly cobra helicopters. Helicopter training took the family to Fort Rucker, Alabama, where his second daughter, Andrya Dawn, was born, and then on to Fulda, Germany.

Working with the youth group in Fulda inspired him to want to work with youth full time in the classroom. He would say, we only get to interact with the teenagers for an hour on Wednesday nights, but, their teachers spend time with them every day.

The family moved to Hays, Kansas where he received his teaching degree at Fort Hays State University.

Following Hays, the family moved to Hillsboro, Kansas where Gary began his high school science teaching and coaching career.

Three years later, while working on his Masters degree in Military History at the Command and General Staff Officer Training, he was married to his second wife at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, on December 17th, 1994.

Because of his love of Texas and its unique history, Gary and Robyn (Sommerfeld) then moved to the Texas Gulf Coast where each of their three children were born: Noelle, Jackson Cyrus James, and AEowynn. And, where he was able to cross off his bucket list by building the Cabin in the woods where they lived.

After 9/11, still serving in the Army Reserves, Gary was mobilized as a military historian several times, culminated by spending time in Iraq, training their Commandos in 2005.

Gary retired from teaching in 2014 and spent his time "playing" with his myriad of hobbies: oil painting, carpentry, model trains, model airplanes, beer brewing, reading the news several times a day, spending time on the water in his sailboat and his motorboat, collecting Hank the Cow Dog, Louis L'Amour and Agatha Christie books, experimenting in the kitchen and always prioritizing meals with family and friends, shooting and teaching others how to shoot, volunteering with his children's Boy Scout and Sea Scout Troops, softball and Little League teams, driving his motorcycle and always, always working on a car project: either restoring an old one or serving as the family mechanic (always playing in the back ground was "his" music list -- over 800 songs that he spent years curating), and always returning to spend summers on the Family Farm near Jennings, Kansas, where he recently refurbished the old Farmhouse that his Grandpa Vencil built for his bride Sofi in 1919, and where his father, Jess was born.

Gary and Robyn spent their time as empty nesters making yearly trips to see the German Grand Children, cheering them on while watching Jayvn's football games and Gus' soccer and the Girls' gymnastics meets; and, he especially loved attending Jessica's Daughters' band concerts, football marching, and, swim meets, or, hosting Game Nights and whipping up a batch of creme puffs. Gary and Robyn also spent a few months each year volunteering at a women's shelter in the Baja of Mexico.

Gary held the things that mattered to him close to his heart: his unshakable faith in our Savior and Lord, loyalty to America and the Armed Forces, and, always always serving his precious family.

His survivors include:

His wife of 30 years, Robyn and their five children: Jessica, Andrya, Noelle, Jackson, and AEowynn. His eight grandchildren: Jayvn, Alaina and Breanna, Mysteri, Jolene, Reveri, AEmeri, and August. His older brother, Steve, his sister's widower, Lloyd Pittman, and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews, countless students and a handful of close friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents and older sister, Sharon Pittman.

Gary went in peace to our Lord on July 16th, 2025 during a hip operation where he passed from a pulmonary embolism.

Memorial donations can be given in his memory to the Sheridan County Library in Hoxie, Kansas or to Mujeres Nuevo Comienzo in Vicente Guerrero, Mexico (www.mncfreshstart.org).

Services will be held at Christ Community Church in Hoxie, Kansas, on August 7th, at 10:30 a.m. Visitation the night before at 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Burial will be at Big Timber Cemetery, Jennings, Kansas. Condolences can be left at www.plumergobber.com.

Legacy.com reports daily on death announcements in local communities nationwide. Visit our funeral home directory for more local information, or see our FAQ page for help with finding obituaries and sending sympathy.

How to support Gary's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Gary Skubal's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more

Sign Gary Skubal's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?