Donald Jackson Skinner

Donald “Don” Jackson Skinner, age 63, much loved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend passed away suddenly in his home early on Wednesday, August 30, 2017. Don was born on February 22, 1954 in Charlotte, NC. He is survived by his loving wife, Vicky Sims Skinner, loving daughters, Stephanie Skinner Matthews (Jason) and Heather Skinner Schiffman (Michael), and two adoring grandsons, Adam (8) and Jake (5) Schiffman. Siblings, Martha Skinner Kite (Steve), David Skinner (Melissa), Brother-in-law David Lane, many nieces, great nieces and nephews. Proceeded in passing by his parents Robert Jackson Skinner and Carolyn Mitchell Skinner, sisters Marian Skinner Jarman and Margaret Skinner Lane.

Don was a native Charlottean, graduating from Harding High School Class of ’72. After graduation, he married on July 19, 1974 and began his career in the automotive industry. He worked at American Tire and worked his way up to Service Manager, working for many companies such as Arnold Palmer Cadillac and Steve Moore Chevrolet. He retired from his career in 2013 due to medical issues and began volunteering at Carolinas Rehabilitation Pineville, mentoring patients with new amputees and prosthesis. He helped patients come to terms, encouraging them that their life still held meaning and that they would still be able to perform the same activities just in a different ways. He brought a sense of positivity and calm to the patients that he mentored and developed lasting relationships.

Don was the heart of our family. He was known for his warm and friendly personality, and honest and genuine care for all his friends and family. He was a family man first and foremost; he was a loving and doting father and grandfather. His true happiness came from spending time with his loved ones. Family pool parties, baking cookies at holidays, backyard bbq’s and monthly family gatherings are just a few of his cherished favorites. He was beloved by all his nieces and nephews, cousins, neighborhood children, and close friends’ children. Often referred to as ”Uncle Don” to children of no relation because of his fun-loving spirit. The love of his life was his wife, Vicky; they celebrated 43 years of marriage this past July. They shared a happy life with each other, taking trips to the mountains of NC, golf trips with friends, bowling leagues and cooking. We always said Dad missed his calling to be a chef. He absolutely loved cooking and baking and was really quite good at it. Even now, his grandson, Adam, is asking about how he will ever replace his “granddaddy brownies”. Dad was also the biggest and most loyal Green Bay Packers fan. One of the most exciting moments in his life was getting the opportunity to watch the Green Bay Packers play at a home game at Lambeau Field.

Don was a kindhearted, fun-loving man with a heart of gold. Everyone who knew him well believed him to be the most giving and caring man, and felt deep love and respect from him. He was definitely the kind of person you could rely on in times of good and bad. It was important to him to be dependable and reliable. His life journey was built upon years of very hard work, dependability, loyalty, honesty and unfailing love of all things. He was a great man and his caliber of determination and positivity was truly a rare gift to those who knew him. He was a beautiful soul and despite all the hardships and health issues in his life he always found a way to be happy and grateful for all that he had. His big smile and his boisterous laugh, his kind words and his uplifting spirit are what will be remembered most.

Visitation with viewing (no formal service) will be held Saturday, September 2, 2017 from 2-5pm at McEwen Funeral Home in Pineville. Immediately after the visitation, a gathering for family and friends will be held at the Schiffman residence. Contact Stephanie or Heather or other family members by phone or facebook private message if you need the address. In Lieu of Flowers, please consider donating in memory of my dad to the American Diabetes Association of Charlotte (http://m.diabetes.org/…/local-offices/charlotte-…/staff.html) or to the Humane Society of Charlotte (http://humanesocietyofcharlotte.org/health-wel…/spay-neuter/).

Arrangements under the direction of McEwen Funeral Service-Pineville Chapel, Charlotte, NC.