Skinner, Charles AllenCharles Allen Skinner passed away peacefully in his home on October 1, 2014, after a long battle with cancer.
Charles was born, the second son of Earnest and Mabel Peterson Skinner, October 16, 1942, in Farmington, Utah. The family lived predominantly on the Skinner family ranch located in Nounan, Bear Lake County, Idaho where they ranched and farmed until 1958. Life on the ranch was highly formative on Charles and his siblings. There he learned the meaning of hard work, a love for his family, and a love for basketball.
In 1958, at the age of 15, the family moved to Mesa, Arizona, though they retained and returned each summer to the ranch in Nounan, Idaho. Charles' immediate family grew to include a total of six brothers and one sister. Earnest and Mabel were devoted parents who instilled a devotion to the gospel of Jesus Christ in their children.
After moving to Mesa, Charles first met the love of his life, Vicki Osborn. Charles attended Mesa High School, where he played basketball for the school team and dated Vicki, graduating in 1961. Charles served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Peru, Andes Mission serving between November 1961 and May 1964 where he learned to speak Spanish fluently.
Charles courtship of Vicki was ultimately successful and they were married in the Mesa, Arizona Temple October 24, 1964. Charles played basketball for and pursued his education at Mesa Community College and Utah State University finally achieving a masters degree from Arizona State University. His education led to his certification as a teacher. He returned to Mesa High School where he taught biology, physical education, human anatomy and coached basketball. He was a skilled coach and an exceptionally gifted teacher who loved the sciences and loved sharing the wonders of the natural world with more than forty years of high school students. He was a man of science and man of God and believed passionately that the two were not incompatible.
Charles and Vicki were blessed with eight children, two daughters and six sons (one son died at birth). Charles loved and served in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints all of his life. He genuinely loved people, both the thousands of students he taught (and coached) as well as the many who he met and served through his church responsibilities. He was fun-loving, energetic and compassionate. He touched deeply and influenced greatly the lives of many. Charles was an unashamed disciple of Jesus Christ. He leaves a legacy of love, faithfulness, service, devotion and honor.
Through the faith, prayers and skillful care of many doctors, Charles' life was miraculously extended despite being diagnosed with a terminal blood cancer in 1987. Charles and Vicki were serving as full-time missionaries in Wisconsin when he was diagnosed with lymphoma requiring their return home for treatment.
Charles is preceded in death by his parents Earnest and Mabel Skinner, son Jonathan Skinner, grandson Colton Jones and granddaughter Gracie Jones.
He is survived by his wife and sweetheart of fifty years Vicki Osborn Skinner and his children Rachelle Jones (Kelly), Matthew (Kim), Nathan (Jennifer), Benjamin (Amy), A. Heath (Cedar), Stuart, Bethany Woodruff (Colton) and twenty grandchildren (with one additional granddaughter due soon). Charles is also survived by his siblings Morgan, Steve, Joel, David, Shauna Clark and Daniel.
A viewing will be held Friday, October 10, 2014, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at 2334 E. Pueblo Ave, Mesa, AZ 85204.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, October 11, 2014 at 10:00 am (viewing from 9:00 am to 9:45 am) at 2334 E. Pueblo Ave, Mesa, AZ 85204.
Interment will occur immediately following the funeral services at approximately 12:00 pm at the Mesa, Arizona Cemetery 1212 N. Center Street, Mesa, Arizona 85201
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