Ron Skinner

WASHINGTON-Ron Skinner, originally from Washington, passed away December 12, 2017, in Keller, TX, at the age of 78.  A respected pilot, husband, brother, father, grandfather and friend, Ron was well loved and is deeply missed.

Ron was born September 10, 1939, in Fairbury to Dorothy and Earle Skinner, and was a 1957 graduate of Washington High School.  He attended the University of Illinois and was a 1961 graduate of Bradley University. Ron finished his formal education by earning a Master's Degree in Aerospace Operations Management from the University of Southern California in 1970.

Concurrent with his graduation from Bradley, Ron was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force.  Following a short time as a navigator, he was selected for and completed pilot training in 1967.  Ron's devotion to country and love of flying led to a 22 year career of service in the Air Force.  These years involved many and varied assignments throughout the country, as well as a combat tour in Vietnam.  While serving as an air rescue commander during combat operations in the skies over North Vietnam and Laos, Ron was involved in multiple rescues of downed U.S. and allied airmen and is officially credited with seven combat saves.  During the course of Ron's military career, he rose to the rank of Lt. Colonel and accumulated over 8,000 hours commanding six types of aircraft in the Air Force arsenal.  Ron's Air Force experience led him to a second 22 year career in corporation aviation, the last 17 years of which was spent piloting Falcon Jets worldwide with a corporate flight department in Fort Worth, TX. 

In 1966, Ron married Linda Kay (Berkenpas) Skinner, whom he met in her hometown of Ogden, UT while he was stationed at Hill Air Force Base. Their son, Chris, was born in 1971.  In Ron's words, Chris was "the center of their lives and true pride and joy," and together, he and Linda generously loved, guided and offered support to Chris in countless ways throughout their lives.  During their marriage of almost 51 years, Ron and Linda moved 11 times through ten states following Ron's aviation career, nurturing valued friendships at every stop.  In 1989, the couple finally settled in Keller, TX, near Fort Worth, where Ron accepted his final professional assignment in corporate aviation. 

Shortly after his retirement from aviation in 2005, Ron's two granddaughters, Sarah and Meredith, were born and quickly became the delight of Ron's later years.  Chris's family, of Houston, TX, was blessed to enjoy many visits with "Papa Ron" each year.  He took much pleasure in watching Sarah and Meredith grow, hearing about their adventures and accomplishments, doting generously on them, and sharing their photographs with family and friends.  

Ron is preceded in death by his parents Dorothy and Earle Skinner, and stepfather Paul Meyer.  He is survived by his loving wife, Linda, his son Chris and wife Victoria, and treasured granddaughters Sarah and Meredith.  Ron is also survived by four dearly loved brothers and their families:  Dean and wife Ardith of Eureka, Roger and wife Deanna of Washington, Steve and wife Elizabeth of Delavan, and Dan Meyer and wife Carole of Eureka. 

A memorial service celebrating Ron's life will be held Saturday, May 26, 2018, at the Crossroads Methodist Church, 1420 N. Main in Washington.  Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. with services to follow.  Interment will be at Glendale Cemetery in Washington.  The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Ron's memory to the Air Force Aid Society or Wounded Warriors Project. To share memories and condolences with the family, visit www.masonfuneralhomes.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ron Skinner, please visit our floral store.