John Henry Skidmore

Celebration of life for John “Johnny” Henry Skidmore will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at the Lewis Arriola Community Center. 

John Skidmore peacefully went to be with the Lord on September 14, 2023 in Durango after facing a long 5-year battle with Dementia. He was born December 3, 1926 to Owen Odis Skidmore and Lena May Affentranger Skidmore in Mantou, Tillman County, Oklahoma. Johnny was one of 8 siblings. His mom passed away in 1940. In 1942 his father married Minnie Langston and he acquired 2 more brothers and 5 sisters. In 1943 the family left Oklahoma and headed to Texas where they eventually settled in Wheeler, Texas. Johnny’s dad, Owen, left Wheeler in 1949 and the kids eventually all followed and homesteaded in Ucolo, Utah. 

Johnny married Myrtle Gardner on November 26, 1947. To this union the had 4 children, Jewell Annette, Barbra Darlene, Shirley Juanita, and John Henry Jr. They were married for many years until she passed away in 1979. Johnny started pursuing his passion for farming and ranching alongside his family. He has always worked hard and accomplished anything he set his mind to. He loved being out either in the wheat fields or on his horse keeping watch over his cattle and land. 

In 1980 Johnny met Mary Lou, and after getting to know each other, they started dating. During this time in their life God had other plans for them and they parted ways. In 2009 Johnny and Mary Lou’s paths crossed again. After lots of phone calls and catching up on each other’s lives since they had last seen each other, they decided to make a life together. 

Johnny is survived by his wife, Mary Lou; his daughter, Shirley Skidmore of Grand Junction, CO.; his step-daughters, Tami (Willie) Barnett of North Carolina and Fawn Kendrick of Cortez, CO; his sisters, Dora (Leroy) Winters of Farmington, N.M. and Margie Spruell of Pampa, TX. He is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews all of whom love and will miss him. His friends, life long and new, will all remember and miss their time with him. 

Johnny was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Myrtle; his daughters, Jewell Annette and Barbra Darlene; his son, John Henry Jr.; by 8 brothers and 5 sisters; and by two step-sons, Donald Mathews and Jeffery Scottie Heird.