Ray Skinner

Earl Ray Skinner, 80, of Jackson died Monday, Dec. 20, 2004, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Sept. 12, 1924, at Avert, Mo., son of Harry Strawn and Bertha Fredericka Clingingsmith Skinner. He and Veda Jewell Brotherton were married Dec. 3, 1946. She died June 16, 2000.

Skinner farmed in the Oak Ridge area until 1956, when he moved to Jackson and entered the plumbing business. He was a member of New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson, and Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 562 in St. Louis.

He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in New Guinea.

Survivors include a son, Rick Skinner of Jackson; a daughter, Sharon Powers of Sikeston, Mo.; two brothers, Joe Skinner of Mesa, Ariz., Warren Skinner of Jackson; a sister, Mary Walters of Louisville, Ky.; three grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; and two great-grandsons.

He was preceded in death by four brothers and two sisters.

Friends may call at Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home from 4 to 8 p.m. today.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. John Rice officiating. Burial will be in Russell Heights Cemetery.