SKINNER, Eldon Lee

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Wednesday, June 27, 2007 Mr. Eldon Lee Skinner of Prescott died Tuesday, June 19, 2007, at the local hospital from lungs which could no longer support life. A remembrance of that life will be held this Friday, June 29, 2007, at 10 a.m. with Military Honors at the Cattleman's Bar & Grill, where he could be found several times each week visiting his many friends and enjoying a drink or two. Mr. Skinner was cremated and wished his remains to be spread upon the Arizona desert and also with his twin at Lake Trillium on Mount Hood. Internment will take place at the Prescott National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a gift be made to the American Lung Association. He was one of the patriarchs and backbone of our family and will be greatly missed. A native of Colorado, Eldon was born March 24, 1926, as the eldest of twins to Archibald Lee Skinner and Jessie June Hagerman. One of six children born to his mother, he was preceded in death by his twin Eldene of Portland, Oregon, Earl Ecker of Yachats, Oregon, Ralph Ecker of Kennewick, Washington, Lois Pollard of Pasco, Washington, and both parents. He is survived by his sister Ruby Spencer of West Covina, California; his niece and caregiver, Judy Anderson of Prescott; his nephew Lee Anderson of Umatilla, Oregon; and another niece, Velda Loff of Kennewick, Washington, as well as nephews Gary Spencer and Roland Ecker of California, a number of cousins and numerous other great-nieces and great-nephews. Mr. Skinner never married but preferred to lavish his knowledge and affection on his nieces and nephews. To the day he died he missed his twin Eldene and his other siblings and longed to join them. Mr. Skinner loved to keep his mind sharp working through numerous crossword puzzles daily and watching baseball games. He was a longtime fan of the game and could often be seen flipping between games so as not to miss a single one. He was a steadfast Democrat and could often be found sparring with his nieces who were just as steadfast Republicans. Mr. Skinner in his early years was a welder in the shipyards of Portland, Oregon. He later became an electrician and worked for his elder brother Ralph Ecker at Empire Electric of Kennewick, Washington. He then moved to Los Angeles and retired from the Los Angeles city council as an electrician. A longtime friend, Margaret of Sedona, Arizona, remembered him as a "diamond in the rough with a heart of gold.” He would be seen as tough and gruff, but those who would dig beneath this veneer would find a giant marshmallow for a heart. A nephew of North Bend, Washington, had this to say of his uncle: "If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord, and He will repay you" (Prov.19:17). He would often help his family in one way or another and will be greatly missed. "God's word says our loved ones are gifts to us, and Uncle Eldon was surely that. He was a gentle giant of a man with a huge, giving heart behind the big, deep voice. He loved his family more than anything on this Earth. We will surely miss him more than words can say'— Velda, Brian, and Brenda Loff, and Lee and Judy Anderson. Information provided by survivors.