Skinner, James Thomas

James Thomas Skinner was born on July 28, 1947 to Robert and Edith (James) Skinner and raised on Welcome Farm outside Herman, NE. Jim graduated from Tekamah High School in 1965. He attended the US Merchant Marine Academy, then sailed on a merchant ship on a scientific expedition to Greenland. He graduated from Curtis, then UNL, with Degrees in Ag Mechanics and Industrial Education.

At UNL he met Susan (Dahms) Skinner; they married on July 1, 1976 and for their married life resided in Craig, NE. He served on the Craig Rescue Squad, Fire department, and on the Craig Village Board, including time as Mayor. He was a small fleet owner and jack-of-all-trades, who many other community members turned to for technical advice. He was a "bull hauler" who moved cattle throughout the West - he was talented with animals. Jim traveled to all 50 states and 20 other countries. Jim was known as an accomplished storyteller with an occasional tendency to embellish.

Jim was preceded in death by his mother; father; sister Kay; and sister-in-law Prudence. He is survived by his wife; brother Bruce; son, John (Misha); daughter, Jane (Michael); and many nieces and nephews.

There will be a GATHERING in honor of Jim on Friday, January 13, at the Craig Fire Hall (which is handicapped accessible) from 5-7pm. FUNERAL will be on Saturday, January 14, at the Craig Presbyterian Church at 10:30am, with a Lunch following at Craig Fire Hall. Donations may be directed to the Craig Community Fund at https://www.nebcommfound.org/give/craig-community-fund/ ; or to El Porvenir at https://www.elporvenir.org/donate to plant a forest in Jim's memory in Nicaragua.

~~~obituary courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska ~~~

FindaGrave #248172073