John Darold Skinner

On the morning of October 15,2017, John Darold Skinner passed on to his heavenly home. Born on Nov. 10, 1932 in Edgerton, Kansas he and his mother Daisy B. Skinner, moved to Tacoma in 1934. John was raised in the Hilltop area, graduating from Stadium High School in 1950 at age 17. He joined the Army training as a radio operator. John spent the first three months of his time in Korea, as the Korean War was winding down. As a radio operator, John was involved in helping to keep the US Soldiers aware of what was happening around them. John said that the most interesting thing to happen during that time was when, just before the end of the war, he had to bounce a General off the air to warn US Army troops that the Korean Army had poisoned the beef being sent around on trains to the US troops. The Army was able to stop the trains and save the day.

John was appointed to be the man in charge of the bar for the lower-level Army men. He was supported by a Lieutenant who first suggested to him that he had a knack for handling the paperwork and the money that came in and out of the bar, and that he should think about becoming an accountant. After working with the Lt, John began to think this was something he'd like to do. When he returned home John attended the UW (on the GI bill) and finished his courses in 1960, finally becoming an accountant. He worked for Boeing until 1970, the year Seattle shut down!

He married Barbara Skinner (Ellman) in 1956. And they settled into her hometown of Sumner. While John and thousands of other Ex-Boeing-ltes were trying to decide what they wanted to do, John examined a few possibilities and realized that he would enjoy accounting as an independent. He and his wife Barbara, decided to give it a try and were successful. John and Barbara owned Executive Accounting & Tax Service for 47 years, from 1970 to 2017.

John also enjoyed working with the VFW and the Eagles for several years, and enjoyed the company of people who care for their communities and have the same kind of memories as John. He became a member of the Sumner City Council in 1989 for four years and decided he didn't enjoy politics as much as he anticipated!

John in survived by his wife Barbara; children, Michael, Victoria and Patrick; ten grandchildren and one great grandson.

There will be a Memorial Mass on Friday, Oct. 27, 2017 at 11:00 at St. Andrew Catholic Church. John will be inurned at Sumner City Cemetery.

John was a man who really enjoyed visiting with people and learning from them. His friends all enjoyed his sense of humor and learned to be careful in believing all his stories!! His family loved him. And now a good man has gone to Heaven.