Ralph “Bob” Robert Skinner passed away on January 15th, 2023, at his residence. Memorial service will be held on Monday, January 23rd, 2023, at 2:00 PM at the Meador Funeral Home Chapel in Gainesville. Visitation will be held from 1:00 PM until service time.
Ralph Robert Skinner was born on February 9, 1957, in Henrietta, Texas. He was the youngest of 3 boys. He graduated in 1975 from Henrietta High School, where he played football and ran track. He attended Sheet Metal Worker school in Wichita Falls and Dallas and turned out as a Sheet Metal Journeyman in 1982. Bob later became a pecan farmer, and then straw bale home builder in the North Texas area.
Bob married Julie Moose on June 20, 1980, and they had one child, Rain Skinner, born in 1991. He loved being outside, watching the birds and enjoying the natural world. In later life, he took up woodworking. He absolutely loved music of all genres, and there wasn’t anything he enjoyed much more than going to a live music concert of one of his favorite bands, especially The Flaming Lips or The Avett Brothers.
Bob Skinner was the most courageous and honest man you could ever meet, kind and generous to family, friends, and strangers. He loved conversing with people about their lives and philosophies. His strength in the face of life’s challenges was inspiring to all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife Julie Moose Skinner of Gainesville, TX; child Rain Abigail Skinner of Norman, Ok; brothers David Skinner of Tulsa, Ok and Andrew and wife Julia Skinner of Ponder, TX; nephew and family Evan Skinner and Lindsy, Holland and Remi all of Elmhurst, IL; niece and her family Jess Skinner and Huck of Fish Creek, WI; nephew Will Skinner of Carrollton, TX; mother-in-law Martha Moose of Henrietta, Tx.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents Jack and Wilma Skinner. He is also preceded by other family members Fred Skinner and Bruce Skinner.
Memorials may be made to Thunderbird Clubhouse, Norman, OK or PFLAG Norman.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Meador Funeral Home of Gainesville.
Gonna miss you buddy. Loved all the good times we had together. See you on the other side.
I already miss you, Bobby. You were always an inspiration to me and I adored our time together during high school and shortly thereafter. We loved us some Eagles, Jeff Beck, YES, Traffic, Joe Walsh, Little Feat & others, didn’t we?
Oh Bob, You always made me smile and always really listened to me. We all had some wonderful star gazing times listening to great music. You were as close as I ever had to a brother and am honored to have had you for such a dear friend. I will miss you every day.
Oh! I nearly forgot! My! How you loved Monty Python!! Remember putting it on TV in silent mode and making up our own commentating as we went along? You were really good at that! Julie and I could make the horse-trotting sounds in the background!
For three years of my life, you and your parents inspired me. I have so many happy memories with you, Jimmy, Craig, Dallas, and others. I remember like it was yesterday. Music everywhere. Listening to Yes, and enjoying dry humor. I became friends with Bobby, and separately, Julie, right after we moved to town. I loved our last visit before COVID, where the three of us discussed solving the World’s problems, as usual. My Momma absolutely loved you too. Rest In Peace.
Bobby was such a kind, compassionate and courageous man. He made everyone feel loved and special. He will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know him. We love you, Bobby.
Summer concerts will not be the same without seeing your smiling face and getting a big hug from you Bob. I loved our conversations about van building and travel and your friendship meant more to me than you will ever know. Rest easy my friend.
a kind sweet gentle man who was a friend to everyone he met and left the world a much better place because of the way he lived and the lives he touched
So honored to have met such a very special man with such a great spirit and soul ❣️ we jammed out to Soul Sister outside. I love it Thank you Bob for always being so cool with me…For kindred souls are we ????
Bob was my best friend my greatest inspiration my favorite protagonist he taught me so much about compassion forgiveness for others and ourselves. He is irreplacable and I will always treasure our time together rest in peace brother
Bob is family, a great man. Touches anyone’s heart with his wise words and kind eyes. I will miss you , till we see each other again.
There is not a time I can remember that Bob Skinner wasn’t a part of my life. Bob was my best friend from our childhood days through our adult years. Although we may have been separated by distance, Bob was always there when I needed him. He was so proud of his family and loved his friends. My heart hurts for Julie, Abby, Andrew, David and everyone who had the honor of knowing him. He was truly a gift to us all and will be missed. Rest peacefully Brother!
Bob and Big Heart Builders built our straw-bale house. No contractor was ever better named. We became friends of a lasting sort with Bob and Andy He will be missed. Bob, confined to a wheel chair from an electrical worker accident, shred with these three other guys building houses. I have never known another persons who managaed the wheel-chair better. I see this as a drive to live that is rare and admirable.