George Edward Skinner

GEORGE EDWARD SKINNER, 87, passed away Jan. 31, 2014. George was born in Bird Island, Minn. to Catherine and Richard Skinner. He met and married the love of his life, Elizabeth (Betty) Amend in 1957 with whom he celebrated 54 years of marriage. More than 40 of those years were spent in Fayetteville, Ark. where they raised their five children and became avid Razorback fans. He and Betty moved to Little Rock in 2008 and ultimately settled at Presbyterian Village where he lived until his death. George graduated from St. Thomas College, St. Paul, Minn. in 1951 and served in the Army. He served as Law Librarian at the University of Missouri for 10 years and at the University of Arkansas for more than 20 years, where he also taught legal bibliography. A strong student advocate, he served the Phi Alpha Delta Law fraternity as faculty advisor and traveled with the Razorback marching band. George was a devoted husband and father. He and Betty opened their home to countless law students and neighbors who quickly became a part of their extended family with many returning for holidays and Razorback game weekends for decades. George loved to entertain and was known for his joke telling. He and Betty could cut a rug often clearing a dance floor while others cheered in awe. George was a devout Catholic and an active member of St. Joseph and St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Churches, Fayetteville, and later St. Raphael's, Springdale, where he and Betty renewed their vows in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary. More than anything, family was the center of George's life. He was happiest when surrounded by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. In his final years, George once again extended his family to fellow residents and staff at Presbyterian Village where he served as the resident council president and competed in the Sr. Olympics. In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Skinner; siblings, Catherine, Edna, Joseph, Helen, Una, Mary and Edward; infant son, Stephen Paul; and daughter-in-law, Stephne Skinner. He is survived by his brother, Gordon(Lois) Skinner, St. Paul, Minn.; children, Sara (David) Lenehan, Little Rock, Anne Skinner, Fayetteville, Laura (Ken) Cook, Little Rock, Molly Fast, Kansas City, Richard Skinner, Fayetteville; grandchildren, Emily, John, Meagan and Michael Lenehan, Andrew Hall, Caroline Holt, Sarah Catherine Cook and Veronica Fast; great grandchildren, Sophia and Jayden Lenehan. A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating George's life will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5 , 2014 at St. Joseph Catholic Church,1722 N. Starr Drive Fayetteville, Ark. Interment will follow at Fairview Memorial Gardens, 1728 E. Mission Blvd, Fayetteville, Ark., with a reception following at St. Joseph Catholic Church. The family is grateful for the loving care extended George by the staff at Presbyterian Village and Arkansas Hospice and for the faithful ministry of Bubba Klugh, Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church. Memorials may be made to Presbyterian Village, Arkansas Hospice or St. Joseph Catholic Church, Fayetteville, Ark. Arrangements by Roller-Chenal Funeral Home 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Ark. (501) 224-8300. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.