James Jim Skinner

James "Jim" Skinner, age 86, of Waco, formerly of West, passed away early Friday morning, June 24, 2016 at Lake Shore Village in Waco. Memorial services will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 28, 2016 at the Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West, with Rev. Steve Ramsdell officiating. Burial will be held at a later date at the Central Texas Veterans Cemetery in Killeen. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Jim was born March 16, 1930, the eldest of two children born to Ruby (Pauling) and James B. Skinner, Sr. Jim and his sister Norma were born and raised in Marlin where they both graduated from Marlin High School. He served his country in the United States Air Force in Korea, where he flew F-80 jets in photo reconnaissance missions. He had a passion for learning to fly planes, which found its beginning while he was in high school at the age of 16 and that passion reached its culmination when he joined the Air Force and became a pilot and flight instructor. He was united in marriage to Peggy Hawkins on February 20, 1954 in Selma, Alabama. Jim received a Bachelor's degree from the University of Texas and a Master's degree from Sam Houston State University in Criminal Justice. He worked for the US Postal Service as a rural letter carrier. After living in several towns in Texas, including Del Rio, Dallas and West, they settled and retired in Waco in 1995. Jim was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Waco. He was also a lifetime member of the VFW Post 4819, Senior Kiwanis of Waco and the Experimental Aircraft Assn. of Waco. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and a son, David Skinner. Survivors include his beloved wife of 62 years, Peggy Skinner of Waco; sons, William "Bill" Skinner and Andy Skinner and wife Kris, all of Waco; his sister, Norma Baker; grandchildren, Clayton Skinner and wife Kaitlyn and Elizabeth Skinner and fianc Philip Gai; and many other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.