James Bruce Skinner

Bruce, 89, of Stallings, passed into Eternity on February 3, 2011. He was a loving son, husband, father, and grandfather.

Bruce began life in Westmoreland County, Pa. on August 5, 1921, one of nine children born to Joseph Garfield Skinner and Martha Belle Lynn Skinner. Family life spent on several farms was nurturing and educational in many ways. As a 1939 graduate of Connellsville High School, Bruce was proud of later having served his country as a United States Marine during both World War II and the Korean War.

On May 12, 1948, Bruce married Beatrice E. Etling and the couple celebrated fifty-four years of love and togetherness until her death in 2002. Ten years of Bruce's life were spent as caregiver to his dear wife as she tried to cope with the devastating effects of Alzheimer's disease.

Working life for Bruce was largely concentrated in building, first as a union carpenter and later as a construction inspector. Although he retired from NASA, Langley Research Center, Virginia in 1983, Bruce retained his tireless penchant as a "fixer, tinkerer, and do-it-yourselfer ".

Bruce and Bea relocated to the Charlotte area in 1998, having been residents of Newport News, Virginia since 1962.

Longtime interests and activities included RV camping, picking guitar and mandolin at various casual Bluegrass gatherings, meeting and volunteering with his Masonic brothers from the Mint Hill Lodge 742, working with the Scottish Rite, attending Marine Corps League meetings, going to church, and later spending evenings with his very special friend, Mary Ellen Carriker.

During the last year of his life, Bruce remained as independent as possible while residing at Willow Grove Retirement Living Center.

His life reflected steadfastness in his Christian Faith, "Semper Fidelis" to the Corps, and consistency with Masonic principles.

Special thanks and love to the family of Mary Ellen Carriker, especially Tammy Miles, during the final days of Bruce's time with us.

Bruce is survived by his son, Burt Skinner and wife, Patsy, of Stallings, grandson, Lynn Skinner and wife, Karin Lehn, of Alexandria, Virginia, and grandson, Wade R. Skinner and wife, April, of Charlotte.

Visitation and memorial service for Bruce is Monday, February 7, at Mt. Harmony Baptist Church, 2817 Mt. Harmony Rd. Matthews, N.C. 28105, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Burial will be at Olive Branch Baptist Church Cemetery, Smithton, Pa. Due to uncertain weather conditions in the northeast, visitation and memorial service for Pa. relatives and friends will be held later this year.

McEwen Funeral Service, Mint Hill Chapel is serving the Skinner family.

Arrangements under the direction of McEwen Funeral Service - Mint Hill Chapel, Mint Hill, NC.