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In Memory

Kent Skinner - Class of 1958

Our sweet father, grandfather and brother returned suddenly and unexpectedly to his heavenly home on Oct 17, 2017.  Although we will miss him so much we know he will be so happy to be reunited with our mother, his parents, and many other loved ones.

Kent David Skinner was born on May 22, 1940 in Paris, Idaho to Clifford John and Golda Eborn Skinner. He lived the majority of his life on the family ranch in Dingle. During his growing up years he worked hard on the ranch with his parents. Because he was the oldest of 12 children, he had a lot of responsibility at an early age. He was driving a team of horses, milking cows, and running farm equipment when he was 6 years old.

Kent attended the elementary school in Dingle from 1st to 8thgrade.  He played trombone in the Dingle school band.  He attended Montpelier High School where he was active in football, FFA, and baseball.  The summer before their senior year Emma Lou Schmid asked Kent on their first date to a party at Bear Lake. She told her daughters she asked him out because she was so impressed with his calm, steady personality and because she knew he was a good worker.  They hit it off and dated their whole senior year.  After graduation Emma Lou went and lived in Salt Lake City with her sister Zenna Mae and brother-in-law Eugene. She worked at a bank, while Kent stayed and worked on the ranch for his dad.  One weekend Kent visited Emma Lou when she was sick.  In the morning when she woke up she had a ring on her finger, although Emma said she didn’t remember it happening.  They were married for time and all eternity in the Logan LDS temple on February 2, 1959.  Kent and Emma Lou had six children and worked very hard to take care of them.  He worked for Central Farmers and Meadow Gold while his kids were little, but did not enjoy the work.  He always wanted to be a rancher. He wanted a job that he could take his kids to work with him.  After our grandpa died he pooled all his equity together and bought the ranch from his mother.  He worked his entire life to pay for his ranch.  He was so proud to show his kids in 2015 his mortgage paper that said “paid in full”.  He worked side by side with his kids and grandkids on the ranch and taught them to work hard and to do a good job.  He would tell us that he felt so lucky to have a job that allowed him to work with his kids, grandkids and great grandkids.

Kent served as a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He held many callings in the church including serving on the High Council and as a Bishop in the Dingle Ward.

Kent is survived by his six children: Gregory C. of Dingle, Idaho, Alan Kent of Georgetown, Idaho, Brent Robert of Dingle, Idaho, Lou Ann Budge (Mark) of Paris, Idaho, Susan Crane(Colton) of Lander, Wyoming, and Angela Eschler (Edwin) of Roy, Utah, twenty five grandchildren, and seventeen great-grandchildren.

Kent is preceeded in death by his parents, Clifford and Golda Skinner, his wife Emma Lou, three great grandchildren Sawyer May, Rosie, and Junior Thompson, his brother and sister-in- law Kirk and Janet Skinner, his brother-in-law, Lynn Wells and his niece Shelby Skinner. On Emma Lou’s side, sister-in-laws Julia Schmid, Dorothy Gilgen, Anna Vigos, Frances Schmid, Alice Gortcinsky and Julie Schmid. Brother-in-laws, Bobby Schmid, Eugene Bridges and Ivans Schmid.