Albert Skinner Obituary

Albert Cameron Skinner, "Al," age 80, died on July 2, 2012 while in the compassionate care of his family, friends, and Pikes Peak Hospice. For 51 years Al was the beloved husband of Ann Garrott Skinner and loving father of Sharon Hunter (Tim) of Cascade, CO, and Barbara Skinner (Steve Raymer) of Bloomington, IN. Al was born in Vernon, NY, and his parents, Robert and Laura Skinner, preceded him in death during his youth. His two sisters, Ethel Skinner (Fayetteville, NY) and Dorothy Skinner (Alexandria, VA), and his brother, John Skinner (San Bruno, CA) are saddened by his death, as are his granddaughters Katelynn Metz (Scott) of Pittsburgh, PA, and Susanna Lauer (Russell) of Washington, D.C. He will be missed by his great grandchildren, Eli and Grace Metz and James Lauer, and by nephews John, Calvin, and Garrott Lang and their families in Inverness, MS. Al grew up on a dairy farm in upstate New York and graduated from Westmoreland High School and the State University of New York at Oswego. He received graduate degrees from Iliff School of Theology and Long Island University. Prior to seminary, Al was a social studies teacher and worked in a National Parks ministry. During the Korean War, he served in the U.S. Naval Reserves and later spent two years on active Navy duty in the Mediterranean. He was ordained in the United Methodist Church in 1966 and was on staff at several United Methodist churches in Denver and Grand Junction during and after seminary. The majority of Al's years in the ministry were spent as a chaplain in the U.S. Army. In 1968-69, Al served in Vietnam with a unit of the 5th Infantry Division from Fort Carson. He ministered to troops that suffered heavy losses in the demilitarized zone between North and South Vietnam and was known as a "soldier's chaplain." After Vietnam, his tours of duty as a chaplain took him to Germany, South Korea, Hawaii, and seven posts in the continental U.S., including two tours at Fort Carson. Among the medals Al received while in the Army were the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Purple Heart. In retirement Al served as an interim pastor in several United Methodist and United Church of Christ churches and as a volunteer chaplain with the Military Order of the Purple Heart. He was also active in the Sierra Club, the Pikes Peak Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America, and the Military Chaplains Association. He was a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ. Throughout his life, Al always found sanctuary in nature. He was an avid hiker, mountain climber, and runner. He cherished his mountain-top experiences and enjoyed many years of volunteering in the Garden of the Gods. Al was known to be a "people person," who laughed often and loved life. His pride and joy was his family, and they will always remember his daily exuberant early morning greeting: "This is the day the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!" A Memorial Service for Al will be held on Wednesday, July 11 at 10:00 a.m. at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 20 East St. Vrain Street. He will be buried in a private service at Fort Logan National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial gifts be made to Pikes Peak Hospice or First Congregational UCC. Online Condolences: ShrineOfRemembrance.com