James Kennedy Skipton Jr.

James Kennedy “Jimmy” Skipton, Jr., age 76, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend passed away Wednesday, the 25th of May 2011 in Houston, Texas. He was born on the 5th of September 1934 in New Rochelle, New York.

Jimmy graduated from Lamar High School in Houston and later attended Texas A&M, the University of Texas and the University of Houston. He was founder and President of Texas Fire & Safety, Inc. with locations in Houston, Dallas and San Antonio. One side of the Houston office building was designated as a museum to house his extensive collection of antique fire memorabilia.

He was a life-time member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, a supporter of the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, a founder and president of the Texas American Saddlebred Horse Association, and owner of S & S Venture Farm, which produced over a dozen world’s champion show horses. Jimmy was an avid supporter of The Brookwood Community in Brookshire, TX. He was a member of the Houston Club, The Forest Club and the Knights of Momus. Jimmy was an active member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Bellville, TX, where he served on the vestry.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents James and Bernadine Skipton. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, LaMerle York Skipton, and his children; Kim Skipton of Lexington, Kentucky, Pat and son-in-law David Jones of Houston, Sharon Skipton of St. Augustine, Florida, James K. Skipton III and daughter-in-law Laurie of Dripping Springs, Suzanne and son-in-law Robert Shelton of Houston; grandchildren David and Jordan Jones, Shelby, Sara Beth and Sydney Shelton and Jimmy IV and Andrew Skipton; sister Sandra Skipton Parham of San Antonio, brother-in-law William Dell York, Jr. of Houston and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family is grateful for the wonderful care provided by the staff of The Forum at Memorial Woods during his battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

The memorial service is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Thursday, the 2nd of June, at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church 717 Sage Road in Houston, where the Rev. Martin J. Bastian, Senior Associate Rector for Pastoral Care, is to officiate.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held in the adjacent Bagby Parish Hall.

Honorary pallbearers will be, David Jones, Robert Shelton, W. D. "Dee" Campbell, Barney Hedrick, Danny Lang, Tommy Feux, W. D. York, Jr., George Knight, Gene Schwinger and Gary Kaufman.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests donations be made in Jimmy’s name to The Brookwood Community, 1752 FM 1489 Brookshire, TX, 77423; or to the American Saddlebred Museum, 4083 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY, 40511.