This is less a memory and more a message of comfort, I hope. 
I have a lot of Jewish friends, and when a Jewish person dies, you don’t usually hear much about how they’re “in a better place now.” ‘Cause let’s be honest, here, we are not crying for Jerry. We’re mostly crying for us. We’re selfish. We’re sad because we won’t get to enjoy his laugh and his warmth and his presence in our lives any more, and we’re going to miss him so much. 
So when someone dies, my Jewish friends say “May his memory be a blessing.” 
May his memory be a blessing. 
May the pain someday fade and leave behind nothing but the good memories and good feelings. May we remember Jerry and feel love and happiness and gratitude that he was once here with us. And may we use our memories of him as a guide for how we can be better people: be more loving and kind, be more patient and gentle, be strong and courageous in standing up for what’s right, be endlessly curious and never stop learning about the world, be generous in sharing time and talent and helping other people. 
Jerry’s life was a blessing to us, and his passing does not diminish that blessing. All anyone can really ask in life is to make a difference. To leave the world a better place than you found it. Jerry did that, abundantly. Jerry’s life was a blessing to all of us who knew him, and indirectly to countless others who might not have known his name but felt the ripples of his helpfulness and his kindness. 
So, to Janell, and to Carrie and Elsa and Jerry and Rollie, and to everyone who loved him: may his memory always be a blessing.

I think of Uncle Jerry as "jovial".... Aunt Nell might not agree (but who can blame her after 34 years!) I too, like Jeremy, remember Green Eggs and Ham stories... reading it to me over and over. I remember being teased about the "wellow" haired boy that was my imaginary friend. He was always there for family... even when he didn't want to.... He flew for Marty's wedding and cruised for mine. That is love. Putting fears aside so he could be there on our big days.  I will remember his voice, his laugh, his hugs and most of all, his love. 

Where to start? I don't remember, but the story is family legend: Jerry's patience when i was learning to read and the multiple readings of "Green Eggs and Ham". Hunting with him. Throwing hay. He was there at every major event in my life; graduation from high school, college, and my promotion to detective. Every holiday. He recognized at Marty's wedding when I was new at gambling and blew all my money in about the first hour, so he slipped me a Benjamin. He would always make you feel important. He would sit with my dad when nobody ese would. He was so good with my kids.  He was considerate, kind, and wise, and I'll miss him. 

Remembering all the great conversations over our back yard fence.  Whenever we were outside during the summer Jerry would always yell "hi" then we would meet at the fence and discuss anything from what was going on with our dogs to politics.  He was a great man and I will remember him always.

Jerry always had a genuine smile and a firm handshake when greeting me at church. My sincere sympathies for the entire family. May the Lord’s love surround you all. 

American Cancer Society

North Oak Christian Church

Visitation

Celebration of Life

Rollie Skinner

Aline Bramlett

Rollie Skinner Jr.

Roy Skinner

John Canada

Janell M. Mallein

Jerry (Trisha) Skinner

Rollie (Lindsey) Skinner

Carrie Skinner

Elsa Skinner

Joanie (Bob) Lusby

Judy Canada

Stella Skinner

Frances Skinner

White Chapel Funeral Home

Joe Mike Leggio

Mark Skinner

Tim Skinner

Josh Ebert

Jesse Wallace

Marty Rosetta

Jeremy Shepard

Lucas Mallein

Jerry Skinner

immediate need

Death has occurred or is near

plan ahead

Pre-plan a funeral or cremation

Plan a Funeral or Cremation Default Desktop

Find Obituaries and Services

Send Flowers

featured article

What to Say When Someone Dies

Show Your Support

sympathy and etiquette

grief library

celebrations of life

Sympathy and Grief

obituary

services

memories

Obit Detail

In the care of

share to facebook

share by email

share link

Share Obituary

ideas and resources

Sympathy and Grief Mobile

OBITUARY

Jerry Lee Skinner

September 13, 1953 – November 14, 2018

Newcomer's White Chapel Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Services