Edward Skidmore
Ed was born in Delta, Utah, on January 21,1933. He grew up on the family farm and then attended college at Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah. During college, Ed and Velma both participated in ROTC where they got to know each other. They started dating and were married on August 28,1953 in the Manti Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Manti, Utah.
Due to U.S. involvement in the Korean War, government-imposed quotas limited the number of young men who could serve missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ed was not able to serve a mission before he got married. However when the war ended and the quotas were lifted, Ed and Velma both decided it was time for him to serve, despite the sacrifices required. Ed received a call to serve in the Western States Mission on July 27,1954, the day their oldest child was born. Velma moved with their new son to live with her parents in Kingman, Arizona, while Ed served a successful mission headquartered in Denver, Colorado.
Following his mission, Ed decided to attend Utah State University in Logan, Utah, while Velma, who had already graduated, taught elementary school. Ed graduated in 1958 with a B.S. degree in Agriculture. Then he accepted a scholarship to pursue a doctorate program at Oklahoma State University, where he earned a PhD in Soil Physics in 1963.
Ed and Velma are the parents of six children. Alan and Andy were born in Utah. Cary and Jim were born in Oklahoma. Tom and Joanne were born in Kansas. Throughout his adult life, Ed was an active Scouter. He was proud that all of his sons became Eagle Scouts and that his daughter Joanne served as a Ranger at Philmont Scout Ranch for three summers. Ed loved to tell inspiring stories and quote favorite poems around the campfire, many of which are still loved and re-told by his children and grandchildren.
Ed was always a person of deep faith. He was active throughout his life in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he served locally in meaningful responsibilities.
Ed was preceded in death by his wife Velma. He is survived by his children, Alan Skidmore (Jeanne) of Texas, Andy Skidmore (Paula) of Indiana, Cary Skidmore (Wendy) of Indiana, Jim Skidmore (Nanci) of Illinois, Tom Skidmore (Kathy) of Kansas, and Joanne Skidmore of Virginia. He is also survived by his brother Brent Skidmore (Marsha) of Utah, 21 grandchildren, and 42 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Ed will be held on Saturday, March 8, 9:00am, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2812 Marlatt Avenue, Manhattan, KS, 66502. Public viewing will be the night before, Friday, March 7, at 6:30-8:00pm at Yorgensen Meloan Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.