John Leo Skinner
February 3, 1935 – March 3, 2017.
John Leo Skinner, formerly of Lompoc, died March 3, 2017, at the age of 82.

John Leo Skinner was born February 3, 1935, the oldest of seven children, to John and Lillian Skinner. He was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama. John graduated from Central High School with the class of 1952 and was class Valedictorian. John L. Skinner education includes an AA in Business Administration from Allan Hancock and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of La Verne, La Verne College. His professional training included everything from Art and Music Appreciation to Telemetry Data and Data Base Management. John Leo Skinner retired from the United States Air Force in 1973 and continued working being employed as an Aero Space Field Engineer at Martin Marietta at VAFB.

John is survived by his loving wife of sixty-two years of marriage Loretta Skinner; his daughters Dr. Valarie L. Skinner-Martin (Kevin) of Lompoc, California and Angela D Skinner-Bright (William) of Los Angeles, California, his sons Michael A Skinner, Larry E. Skinner (Donna) of Las Vegas, Nevada, Jonathan O. Skinner (Janelle) of Winchester, California, Frederick D. Skinner of Mexico and Brian Lee Skinner of Santa Rosa, California; Grand Children: Calypso Skinner of Paris France; Tyco R. Skinner, Curtis O. Skinner, Rigel Skinner all of Los Angeles, California, Brianna L. Skinner (Emery)of Winchester, California, Tyler Skinner ( Autumn) of Winchester, California; his sister Rosetta Young ( Peter); his brothers Lawrence Skinner of Compton, California, Robert Skinner of Mobile, Alabama and a host of nieces and nephews. One son William E. Skinner preceded John in death.

John had many interests and passions. He was a community service organizer, a civic and political activist, and a proponent of education. John believed in education and instilled this belief in his family. He obtained many degrees and certificates and helped many people in the process. He loved sports, music, playing board games, golfing, fishing and star watching. He has been a member of the American Legion, Unit 125 for 45 years and is a life time member. John was also member of 40 & 8; Disable Veterans (DAV) and a pass member of American Legion 211. When John was active in the American Legion he always served in a leadership role and loved serving the community of Lompoc. He was one of the founding members of the local NAACP chapter and had run for Lompoc city council. In his later years John attended Valley Haven Adult program spending time with friends old and new. One of John's mottos was "never say die" because he believed a person can go as far in the world and life as they want. He had such an infectious smile and will always love him. He will be missed.

A visitation will be held on Friday, March 10, 2017 at Starbuck-Lind Mortuary from 5-7 pm with a memorial service on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at Grace Temple Baptist Church at 1 pm. A repast will be at the Veterans Memorial Hall on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at 2:30 pm.

The Skinner family would like to express our appreciation for your loving kindness, cards, food, flowers and most of all your prayers. A special thank you goes out to all of the medical personnel that assisted John during his illness and passing.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lompoc Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care and/or to Lompoc Valley Haven Adult Day Program.