David Skipper

Mr. David Skipper, age 57, of Deltona died May 15, 2012 at Florida Hospital Fish Memorial in Orange City, Florida. Mr. Skipper was born on September 9, 1954 at Lee Memorial Hospital in Fulton, NY to Ernest Skipper, Sr. and Jessie Skipper.

Throughout his childhood, Mr. Skipper attended Mount Carmel Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Syracuse, NY, where he was baptized at an early age. He attended school in Hannibal, NY, where he excelled in high school basketball, football and track and later went on to attend Oswego State. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends in NY, especially one of his best friends, Mangou Koutouan. Mr. Skipper even met his wife of 30 years, Mauver Skipper, at Mount Carmel SDA.

Mr. & Mrs. Skipper began their lives together in Charlottesville, VA, where they started their family and made many new friends. A special friend Mr. Skipper made in VA was Joe Hughes, with whom he enjoyed playing tennis. After several years, the family moved to New Jersey, where he began his career in telecommunications, working at RTK and later MCI for 18 years. The Skippers soon became members of New Brunswick SDA Church, where Mr. Skipper enjoyed running the sound room with Peter Kovalski, Jr., “Buddy”.

His interests included spending time with family, cooking, hiking, and playing tennis. Mr. Skipper was a dedicated husband and father. He particularly enjoyed surprising his wife with her favorite meals, and speaking to his daughters and grandson every day. His son-in-law, Travis, was the son he never had and enjoyed playing dominoes with him and cooking his favorite meals. He was also like a father to Maria Paz, an exchange student from Chile, who stayed with the family for a year. Mr. Skipper’s favorite activity was playing tennis. In fact, the tennis court was where he met his closest friend, Christopher Aiello. Mr. Skipper was always a joy to be around and a pleasure to talk to. His friends and especially his siblings, can attest to his love for discussions about nature, religion, politics and cars.

Mr. Skipper is survived by his wife, Mauver Skipper; daughters, Danielle Thomas and Theresa Skipper; son-in-law, Travis Thomas; grandson, Warren Thomas; father, Ernest Skipper, Sr.; siblings, Frances Love, Charles Skipper and Sylvester Skipper; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Jessie Skipper; and two brothers, Billy Skipper and Ernest Skipper, Jr.

Friends may call on Sunday, May 27th from 2 - 4 pm at the Deltona Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1717 Catalina Boulevard, Deltona, Florida. Services will immediately follow at 4:00 pm with Pastor Orville Howell, Jr. officiating. Graveside services will be held on Monday, May 28th at 9:00 am at Deltona Memorial Gardens in Orange City, Florida.

"In addition to flowers, donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation in David Skipper's name.