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John Skidmore Obituary
John Franklin Skidmore, 77, born on Aug. 7, 1932, in Sandusky, Ohio, passed away on Nov. 9, 2009.
His sudden and unexpected death has left all who knew and loved him shocked and grieving. He retired as a master chief from the Navy and then retired from a second career as a teacher in the Duval county school system.
His retirement was filled spending time with his loving family and on the golf course.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mildred Skidmore; children, Stephen James Skidmore (Texas), Wendy Lucille Redler (Florida); four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Betty Feasel (Ohio) and Jane Bowden (Florida.)
A memorial celebration of his life will be held at the Royal Saint Augustine Golf & Country Club Course on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009, from 10 a.m. to noon.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Skidmore
December 13, 2009
The Skidmore Family,
I just found out about Mr. Skidmore's passing. I am deeply saddened by the news as he was my favorite teacher of all time. He taught me at WSC 80-82. I'm so glad that I ran into him in a grocery store a few years back and had the opportunity to thank him for everything that he taught me and that I am still in the trade today as a mechanical inspector for the City of Jax. My prayers are with you all. I will never forget him, his sayings, or his war/sea stories. Ronnie Smith
STEVE SKIDMORE
December 13, 2009
DEAR DAD (SKID)
THANK YOU FOR ALL THE LIFE LESSONS YOU TAUGHT ME AND TIMES WE SHARED TOGETHER YOU WILL ALWAYS BE WITH ME.I MISS YOU SKID! TILL WE MEET AGAIN ON THAT FAIRWAY IN HEAVEN.
Barbara Brennan Napolitano
November 19, 2009
Dear Aunt Millie, Stevie & Wendy,
I just received the call from my Mom about Skid. I'm stunned. Ah, but what wonderful memories. The booming voice. The jokes. Christmas Day 1973 - playing pool at mom's & dad's, laughing so hard, I thought my son would be born that day. You are all in our prayers.
Mr John McNally
November 19, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
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Mr Mrs Bernard Brennan
November 19, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Rick Auth
November 18, 2009
Millie, Steve & Wendy,
Skid was a great force and affected everyones life that he came in contact. I can't even begin to tell you how much of a positive affect he had on mine and I really had no idea at the time. The amount of time and energy that Skid and Millie dedicated to the teen club is the reason that it became the center of life on Cecil for a teenager. He was a great man that will be greatly missed. "Skid, thanks for being there."
Jay May
November 17, 2009
Mr Skidmore taught me airconditioning at Westside skill center from 1981-1984 and as much thanks as I have for teaching me the trade I have today, it could never be as much as he taught me about life. What a great man,Thanks for the tough times you gave me,it took me a few years to understand.
Lynn (Melanie's sister in law) Williamson
November 17, 2009
The best I remember of him was his "gruff style" but he really had your interest at heart. He really was a big ole teddy bear, I'm sorry for your loss and my prayer will be with the family.
Dabney Taylor
November 16, 2009
Wendy and Amber, So sorry to hear of your loss. My deepest symphothies.
November 16, 2009
Dear Aunt Millie, Steve and Wendy,
We are so sorry for your loss. I will always treasure the memories I have of Uncle Skid. He was truly a caring,fun loving man full of energy. Our prayers are with you at this difficult time. Hold on to the good times and know you will see him again someday.
With all our love,
Cindy & Ray
Alan Swager
November 16, 2009
Millie,
I will always remember Skid and the fun we had shooting pool at the Riverhouse. He was always a gentleman and a good sport as well as a friend.
Alan Swager
Don, Paula, Jordan and Stephen Stubbs
November 15, 2009
Dear Wendy,Amber,McKenna and family, Don and I just wanted to say we are so sorry for your loss. Times like this make us truly thankful for Jehovah's provision and Jesus sacrafice to give us the promise of seeing our fathers and grandfathers again, young, happy, and healthy. It has been a difficult week for all of us and your whole family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Wendy Spang
November 15, 2009
I am so sorry for your loss, Millie, Wendy and Steve! It has been years since I have seen you all. I remember Skid from 1970 Cecil Field Teen Club all the way into my 20's. Wendy, you being my best friend at Cecil, I got to spend a lot of time with you guys back then. Skid made such a strong presence when he was around and for me as a young girl it was quite something. He was strong yet gentle and funny. I have tried to find you in the last several years and couldn't. You guys have always in in my long term memory and every so often it would resurface and I would try again to get in touch. Skid will be missed my many and I am sure that he made an impression on Millions!! My heart goes out to all in this difficult time. Skid would not want sadness but celebration because he live his life to the fullest. God Bless you all! Love, Wendy
Chip Murphy
November 14, 2009
Millie; I am so sorry to hear about John - I had just contacted Kelly @ The River House only about a week ago -to see if she could assist me in trying to find out how to get in touch with you guys - She called me Friday & forwarded the info - Again, I am so sorry to hear about your loss - I only knew you guys for a relative short time back in the early 90's (when my mom was sick - but you, John & Machelle were very nice to me to help me thru that time & the memories with you guys have been everlasting - from the dancing & billards at the C&W place (at the Best Western) to the River House to back at yours and John's house & even the George Strait concert -
I know this may sound very quaint - But sometimes during these trying times, memories may be all we have at the time BUT they are so very sweet for the soul & even for some peace of mind -
So May God Bless You and Help You during this trying time -
Chip Murphy
8201 Bay Tree Lane - Harrison, TN 37341
Jennifer Bongiorno`
November 14, 2009
You will be greatly missed Mr. Skidmore. You brought so much joy and happiness to everyone who knew you. I will never forget the Christmas Eve you delivered presents to my children ... it was the first time Preston hugged Santa. You were a gentle soul who had so much life. My prayers go out to your family.
Buzz Hillman
November 14, 2009
Skid will be missed very much. When he quit playing volleyball at the River House, that was the end of over five seasons of play. I notified Aina in Hawaii of his passing.
RIP Skid.
Pamela Austin-Welch
November 14, 2009
Milly - I am so sorry to hear about Skid. I have precious memories of the friendship, the laughter, the dancing, and the teachings of Skid. I will always hold those memories dear! My prayers of love and light are with you and your family.
Cynthia Walton
November 14, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you Mrs Skidmore and family. I was in shock upon hearing of his passing. He always took very good care of Mrs Skidmore and stopped by the office to see me and made sure everything was done for her and to keep me smiling at my job with his wonderful stories! Cynthia, formerly at Dr. Rothsteins
November 14, 2009
My thoughts and prayers to the the Skidmore family, I can remember the many pool games with Skid and Miller at the River House and how much they both loved to Dance with each other. My prayers are with the family.
Dennis B. Thompson,Jacksonville, Florida
Lloyd and Kimberley Weimer
November 13, 2009
Skid - You will always be in our hearts and memories. We will miss seeing you on your daily rounds with Kei Ko, hearing your wonderful stories and putting smiles on our faces. Thank you for being a watchful and wonderful neighbor. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and yours. You will truly be missed.
Don & Carol Wright
November 13, 2009
Millie: Don and I can't believe that Skid is gone. We will never forget that he and you introduced us and look what happened. We love you and if there is anything we can do please let us know. We love you.
Pat & Wanda Tankersley
November 13, 2009
We first met Skid when he was teaching at Frank H Peterson High School.That's where our daughter and his grandson Nick met, who is now our wonderful son-in-law. We enjoyed his contagious smile and wit. We will miss his famous chocolate eclairs and stuffed eggs he used to share with us when our families gathered for a picnic.
We pray your special memories of Skid will help to ease the pain of your loss.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Mary Ellen
November 13, 2009
I will miss precious Skid. What a wonderful, loving man! And a great dancer :) Prayers to you, sweet Millie! Much Love-
GUS ELISON
November 13, 2009
I FIRST MET JOHN IN 1971 WHEN I RETURNED FROM VIETNAM. MY ASSIGNMENT AS ASSISTANT OIC AT NAMTD CECIL FIELD WAS A GREAT BILLET. IN DUE TIME I MET SENIOR CHIEF SKIDMORE AND HAD THE CHANCE TO OBSERVE HIS PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD OF AVIATION SURVIVAL EQUIPMENT. HE WAS HEAD AND SHOULDERS ABOVE MOST OF THE INSTRUCTORS. WE HAD MANY HEATED DISCUSSIONS ABOUT A NUMBER OF SUBJECTS. WHEN I SAW THAT I WAS LOSING, I TOLD HIM THAT HE HAD SAID ENOUGH AND NOT TO SAY ANYTHING ELSE. HE ENDED IT WITH "YES SIR". HE ALWAYS GOT THE LAST WORD. WE PLAYED INTRAMURAL GOLF AND HE GAVE ME LESSONS ON THE PING PONG TABLE. A GREGARIOUS MAN, WHO WAS LIKED BY ALL WHO HAD TO PRIVILEGE TO KNOW HIM.
GUS ELISON LCDR USN (RET)
Vicki Decker, Jim Niemi
November 13, 2009
We have great memories of playing volleyball with Skid on Sundays at the Club Continental many years ago. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Millie.
Holly Timm
November 13, 2009
Our deepest sympathy to all of Chief's family. He was our first and best friend here in The Meadows even before we moved in next door. I miss him every time I go in and out as I won't see him any more walking the dog, puttering around in his front yard or driveway ... his cheerful smile and hello are gone, leaving a hole in our daily lives.
Shiela Oneth Forlaw
November 13, 2009
Hearing the name Skidmore brings back such wonderful memories of our years living at Cecil Field. I couldn't wait to be a teen to be able to go to the teen club that Skid ran. I was only able to go a short time before my dad retired. We all loved those tacos he treated us to occasionally. May your memories comfort you all during this time.
Love & Prayers,
November 13, 2009
We were so sorry to hear of the death of Skid. We have missed you both since you moved. I still have a picture of "Santa Skid" in front of our house with our grand children, and memories of sitting at football games together. Give thanks to God for all the beautiful and the funny memories Skid left with everyone who knew him
James & Sandra Walters,
Country Creek - Jacksonville, FL
November 13, 2009
Mrs Skidmore,
I was stationed with John at NAMTRA
Cecil Field. John was a good Table Tennis player, That I only won 1 game
from him. He was a very sharp Master chief. Sorry for your Loss.
Roger Townsend CPO USN Retired
Chad & Teresa Lloyd
November 13, 2009
We will miss Mr. Skidmore’s morning smile and cheer he brought to us on his daily walk here @ The Meadows. We send our deepest sympathy to Mrs. Skidmore and her family during this sad time.
Jason, Jen & Erin Hughes
November 13, 2009
We were so sorry to hear of Mr. Skidmore's passing. We will miss his humor and, like so many others, will smile when we think of him.
Misty and Steve Malicki
November 13, 2009
We live a few houses away, and will miss seeing him walk his dog around. He was always so friendly. We are so sorry for your loss!
Misty and Steve Malicki
Jim Swartz, USAF Ret, Msgt
November 13, 2009
Master Chief,
You are now gone from the streets around our neighborhood, walking your little shipmate, Kei Ko, and stopping occassionally to share War Stories with me and some of the other old sailors, airmen, and soldiers living here that have known and respected you over the years. Rest easy Ship Mate, you will not be forgotten!
Byron Von Dwyer
November 13, 2009
Skid will be missed....
Gods Speed friend...
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