Paul Laird Askren

Skip was a remarkable husband, father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather, and special friend to so many. He is survived by his wife Kathy, sons Skip (Jacque), Toby, and Mark, brother Chris, daughter Robin, 5 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

He is now re-united with his mother Marietta, father Leon, sister Jody, brothers Sonny and David, daughter Keri, infant son David Lawrence, and nephews Mike and Laird.

After months/years of constrained breathing, Skip abandoned his oxygenators, concentrators, tubing/cannulas, the meds, and regained his freedom. The family is confident he now visits his childhood home of Atchison, Kansas every minute he can. We know he finally travels to Beaufort, S. Carolina where he served as a Corpsman at the U.S. Naval Hospital. Southern California and Denver, Colorado must be in his trip planner, as he devoted his early professional years in case management positions with the Department of Justice / Bureau of Prisons there. His Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Master’s in Public Administration from the U of Arizona served him well in his career.

But, most importantly, Skip can finally walk the aisles of the now 40-year-old business he founded, Askren & Sons Wholesale. We await his “voice” suggesting we dust and reface his shelves, sweep the floors more often, and reorder inventory “just in time.” Customer service was always his number one priority and will always be ours as well. We learned from the best.

Funeral services will be held at East Lawn Mortuary Chapel (5801 E. Grant) on Wednesday, September 27, 2023. Visitation begins at 6:00 pm with Rosary and Service at 7:00 pm. Private burial is planned for the following morning.

If so inclined, in lieu of flowers, please contribute to Ballet Tucson, the Arizona Girls Chorus, or a charity of your choice in his memory.