Heath, Ryan and Paige,

Rita and I learned in this morning's paper about your dad's passing last Saturday.  Needless to say, we are both saddened by your loss.  I had many conversations with him during the past year, and thought his condition was stable.  We had heard that he was in the hospital, but thought he would bounce back like he always seemed to.  Again, we offer our sincere condolences.                                     Carl and Rita Friebel

Dear Paige and the Skidmore Family,

I was so sorry to hear about your father. My thoughts are with you as you go through this difficult time. Please don't hesitate to reach out if there is anything we can do.

Love,

Annie Pearce

Dear Skidmore Family - Our sympathy goes out to you in the loss of Jim Skidmore.  He was a valuable employee to Hope Gas, Inc., an enjoyable co-worker, and he represented the company well.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Debra L. Martin-Ridgway

Administrative Asst. III      Dominion Hope, Gas Delivery-WV

Thinking of you all and remembering all of the wonderful times with Mr. Skid.  I hope he knew the great impact he had on my life.

Love and prayers,

11/3/09    Dear Colleen, Heath, Ryan, Paige and families, 

Writing this note seems almost surreal. Time, distance, and "stuff" makes the feelings I  had for "Skid" and for each of you seem so long ago and far away. Paige, you came along after I was out of the picture; but I feel like I know you. 

But none of that can ever take away the memories. So many. So good. So funny. Yet now, so sad. Just today, I pulled out the photo of our taking Michelle, Heath, and Ryan to Washington D.C. And as they sat there on a wall in front of one of the national landmarks looking like they were in a prison camp, I recall our yelling at them that they WERE having a good time! I recall our ice skating on the lake. I recall our wanting to go out on the town and celebrate New Year's, but Skid and Colleen always preferring to stay home with the kids. I recall how many times Skid and I stopped after work at the Holiday Inn on Bridgeport Hill and made sure they had no martinis left for the later crowd. I recall Skid having stopped smoking 15 years earlier, yet always saying "Colleen, give me your butt".........uh, cigarette, that was. I recall Skid wanting to play bluegrass with us, so he decided to take up the fiddle. He was...........well, terrible. But had fun nonetheless. And I knew he loved nothing more than he loved his family.

 I could write volumes, but I'll spare you that.  As the saying goes, friends come and go. Lot's of reasons for that, I guess. But this I can say..............there was a time in my life, a very difficult and challenging time in my life, when I knew one thing for sure...........Jim Skidmore was the BEST friend a guy could ever have........and he was mine. 

Love and prayers, 

Dear Colleen and Heath and family and Ryan and family and to Paige. Al and I are so sorry about your husband and father's passing and although it has been many years since we saw any of you,We think about you all fondly.     This is a very tough time for all of you and please know our thoughts and prayers are with you all.                                                                             Sincerely,                              Lois and Al Trout and family           

Heath, Ryan and Paige,

A page wouldn’t be nearly enough to jot down memories about all of the good times our families have shared over the last 40+ years!  Now we grandparents are enjoying the same antics and activities of your children.  I can only imagine that those are the things that Skiddy will miss the most!  His last several years were a nightmare and as he said when we last talked only weeks ago………….”You can only live the life you’re dealt!”  Now I pray that my good friend Colleen will feel better and enjoy her last years!  (We’re all supposedly in our “golden” years!).  Time will help you come to terms with your loss – may your healing be complete and swift! 

Love to see all of you and your families.  Paige, we MUST get together in Atlanta!  Fondly, Jo Hodge

Jo        Jo Hodge

Front Desk Manager         The Epstein School

We send our condolences to all the members of Jim Skidmore's family. I knew Jim for more than 50 years, roomed with him at West Virginia University and in the Washington area after we finished college and before we both were married in 1965.

He was a truly unique individual, highly intelligent and with strong opinions on the issues of the day. He was NEVER boring, that is for sure, and lived his life with energy and enthusiasm. We stayed in touch for all these years, and I admired and respected him for the way he conducted himself during his long, hard fight against cancer. He never complained about it, preferred to discuss sports and politics.

During a lifetime, a person encounters very few people like Jim, individuals that you feel fortunate to have known and will never forget. I wish he had been given a lot more years, but he used the ones he had to the maximum.

Colleen,

 I am sorry to hear of Skiddy's passing.  I know that he has fought the battle for a long time.  Just  keep in mind the good times and the good memories.  You are in our thoughts and prayers.  We are here if you need us.  Wanda and Jack