Bobby Lee Skidmore

“I did it on my own – MY way.” Bobby Lee Skidmore, 89 ½ of Murphysboro, IL passed away peacefully in his sleep at the Helia Rehabilitation Center in Energy, IL at 12:14 p.m. on Friday, April 5, 2019. Bob was born on July 25,1929, in Paragould, AR, to Roscoe and Kitty Skidmore. His mother died after his birth, and he was raised by his loving grandparents, Henry and Betty Cox. He was preceded in death by his parents, and grandparents, and a brother who died before he was born. Bob met Jackie Vinson in 1951. She lived at home with her parents, T.A. and Hazel Vinson of Clarkton, MO. Bob married Jackie Vinson on August 23, 1952, in Pickett, AR. Bob is survived by his loving wife, Jackie, and their four children – Jackie L. Cox (Richard), Bobby D. Skidmore (Vicky Huelsmann), Robbie J. Crossley (Val Boucher), and Theresa A. Doerr (Brad), his six grandchildren – Angelia Voss (Neil), Brooke Guthman (Ryan), Justin Doerr (Cara), Lauren Martin, John R. Quigley (Paula Naizer), and Heather Cottonaro Dallape, as well as his 15 great grandchildren – John David, Madison, and Crawford Voss; Caroline, Eli, and Liam Guthman; Will Hawthorne, Max and Elizabeth Doerr; Kylie, Keelyn, Kamryn, and Kayson Martin; and Logan and DawsonDallape. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Bobbie Jean Dennis, two nephews and fournieces, and several great nephews and nieces. Bob was the owner and operator of several Standard Oil gas stations in Creve Coeur, Berkeley, and St. Louis, MO. He was also the co-owner and operator of Southern Ford, Inc. & John Deere Agriculture Industrial & Farm Supply in Murphysboro, IL. He later worked for Directory Advertising, Skidmore Auto Sales in Murphysboro, IL, Absher Motors in Marion, IL, and his last employment was at the Illinois Department of Transportation in Carbondale, IL where he retired in 2001. Bob loved to talk and rarely ever met a stranger. He had lots of good friends. Bob was a self-made man and made a good life for his family.He was very proud of his family, and never failed to tell any of them what he thought, how he felt, and what he expected. Bob valued the importance of a good education, hard word, honesty, and good ethics. In his retirement, Bob enjoyed going to auctions and purchasing used vehicles, trucks, tractors, and lawnmowers. He liked the challenge of fixing them up like new and selling them. Bobcould fix just about anything on his own. Bob was an Army Master Sergeant E7, First Calvary Division, 82nd Field Artillery Battalion-A Battery, in the Korean War. He served in that war from 1948-1952. As a Korean Vet, Bobattended the Southern Illinois Honor Flight #3 in April 2018, with his daughter, Dr. Jackie L. Cox as his sponsor. That was a wonderful and memorable experience for Bob. Bob was a member of the Murphysboro Elks #572, the Murphysboro Masonic Lodge #498, A & A Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, SJ, USA, American Legion Post #127, and the Ainad Shriners Temple in East St. Louis, IL. Visitation will be at Crain Funeral Home, 31 Memorial Drive (Old Rt. #13), Murphysboro, IL on Tuesday, April 9, 2019 from 12:00-2:00 p.m. A private family service will be held following the visitation with a full 21-gun salute by the American Legion Post #127 Honor Guard. Private entombment will be in the Pleasant Grove Memorial Park Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois,c/o Korean War Veterans, 10400 Terminal Drive, Suite 200, Marion, IL 62959 – Attention: Randall A. Youngblood, Treasurer OR the Murphysboro Masons #572 AF & AM, 1115 Chestnut Street, P.O. Box 414, Murphysboro, IL 62966.

Bobby Lee Skidmore

July 25, 1929 - April 5, 2019