John “Tom” Thomas Skinner

John “Tom” Thomas Skinner, 80, died of sudden cardiac arrest, Sunday, July 7, 2024, at his home. Tom had enjoyed a wonderful Saturday with family and was looking forward to more time with family as he continued his battle with acute myeloid leukemia. 

A memorial mass will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, July 27, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1001 9th Ave. South, Clear Lake; with Rev. Josh Link officiating. Inurnment will be in the Clear Lake Cemetery; full military honors will be conducted by members of the Clear Lake VFW Post 4868.

A scriptural wake service will be held Friday, July 26, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. followed by visitation until 7:00 p.m., at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 1st Ave. North, Clear Lake.

The family requests that those who wish to express sympathy consider making a donation in Tom’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association at act.alz.org, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at give.michaeljfox.org, or the Leukemia Research Foundation at leukemiarf.org.

John Thomas Skinner was born June 24, 1944, in Des Moines, the son of John and Nadine (Wade) Skinner. Tom worked several jobs throughout his school years including many paper routes and cooking at Shake and Steak. Tom graduated from East High School in Des Moines in 1962. After graduation Tom worked at Carr & Moehl Millworks, where he gained an appreciation of woodworking and building things. He went on to develop an interest in the car business and bought and sold cars with both Don Moyer and Doug Daniel in Des Moines for several different dealerships.

In 1965, Tom met his lifelong companion and best friend, Marilee Smith. On December 27, 1969, the two were united in marriage. To this union three children were born: Jason, Tony, and Zac. Tom and Marilee made their home in Iowa Falls, where they had a GM dealership and furniture store, along with Doug and Patsy Daniel. They brought Sid Niccum in to help them run the dealership. Tom and Marilee moved to Clear Lake in 1986, where they opened a car business. Later in his career, Tom sold his dealership to Joe Pritchard and became a buyer/seller for Pritchard Family Auto Stores.

Tom loved taking his family fishing in northern Minnesota and Canada. He went on many fishing trips with his fishing buddies, as well. He enjoyed horses and owned and traded horses for many years. He was a music lover, hunter and even got into golfing a little as a way to enjoy time together with Marilee. He was a hard worker from a young age and instilled a strong work ethic and a love for family in his children. He loved teaching what he had learned in life, and he enjoyed seeing those he taught do well. He was a loyal friend, a caring son and brother, and a devoted husband that cared for Marilee through her Alzheimer’s illness in a way that taught those around them what true love looks like. He was a Grampy that loved his grandkids so much and couldn’t get enough of watching and hearing about all their activities and experiences. As a father, he simply couldn’t have been better.

Tom is survived by his sons, Jason (Tammy) Skinner of Mankato, Minn., Tony (Katie) Skinner, of Excelsior, Minn., Zac (Jessica) Skinner of Leawood, Kans.; grandchildren, Mattea, Tyler, Sophia, Will, Levi, Joey, Jameson and Savannah; brother, Jim (Maria) Skinner of Coral Gables, Fla., sisters, Mary (Bob) Engdahl of Altoona, Janean Lasswell of Spirit Lake, Virginia (Shawn) Constable of Pleasant Hill;  sister-in-law, Carol (Arne) Ebner of Urbandale, along with several nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.  

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Marilee Skinner, and brother, Perry Skinner. 

Ward Van Slyke is in charge of arrangements.