Jack Skinner

1931 - 2026

Jack Skinner

Oct 22, 1931 - Mar 10, 2026

Jack was born on October 22, 1931, in Muskegon, Michigan, and later moved with his family to Denver, Colorado. After completing high school and beginning college, Jack joined the Army, attended Engineer Officer Candidate School at Ft. Belvoir, VA, and was subsequently commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. At a Methodist church spaghetti dinner for servicemen in Washington, D.C., Jack met Bonnie Jean Cobb, who served him a plate of spaghetti-they married six months later. Jack was then deployed to Germany with the post-WWII Army of Occupation. Bonnie joined him in Bad Kissingen, Germany with their newborn son, David. Returning to Boulder, Colorado, Jack used the GI Bill to earn a BS in Aeronautical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, while living with his young family in a WWII-era Quonset hut. After their daughter Susan was born, the family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where Jack began working for General Electric. With the birth of their third child, Rebecca ("Becky"), their family was complete.

In the early 1960s, Jack, two GE colleagues and their families relocated to Houston, Texas, to work for NASA. In 1962, Jack drove his family to Airport Boulevard near Hobby Airport, where they watched President Kennedy and Jackie pass by in a black convertible limousine. Jack later became a full-time Air Force Reservist, serving at Ellington Air Force Base near Houston. His next assignment took them to Barksdale AFB in Bossier City, Louisiana, where he commanded the 308th Civil Engineering Flight, directing preparations for rapid runway construction anywhere in the world. Later assignments included McGuire AFB in New Jersey and finally Youngstown AFB in Warren, Ohio, where Jack served as base commander. Drawing on his experience with jets and C130 aircraft, Jack excelled at this position and retired as a full Colonel His post-military careers included private pilot instruction and real estate sales in San Antonio, Texas. For the last 20 years of his life, Jack volunteered with the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide organization, which provides free income tax preparation to seniors. Jack and Bonnie moved to Norman, Oklahoma, to support Susan's educational goals before they eventually settled in Bryan, Texas, to be near their son David. They lived on Broadmoor Street for several years before moving to Arbor Oaks at Crestview. Jack was predeceased by Bonnie, his wife of 64 years; his sister Katherine Skinner Lyons of Denver, Colorado; and his infant great-grandson, Jack Murphy Hayes. He is survived by his son, David Jack Skinner; daughters Susan Dawn Skinner Fain and Rebecca Jean Skinner; eight grandchildren; and fourteen great grandchildren.

Jack was deeply loved and will be missed by his family and friends.

Visitation will be held at Hiller Funeral Home in Bryan from 7–9 PM on Thursday, March 19, 2026. The memorial service will take place at Arbor Oaks Chapel at 10 AM on Friday, March 20, 2026. A graveside ceremony with full military honors is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at Houston National Cemetery (attendance limited to family). Those wishing to may direct donations to the Crestview Employee Appreciation Fund at 2505 East Villa Maria Dr., Bryan, TX, 77802.

Hillier Funeral Home

2301 E. 29th Street, Bryan, TX 77802