TOM SKIPWORTH:
Tom Skipworth was born in St. Louis, Missouri on August 02, 1925 and died on February 10, 2015.  He was the son of Thomas D. and Bertha Skipworth, youngest brother to Chester and Bill Skipworth.

Shortly after completing his Naval military service Tom married Ruth (Leona Ruth Bean) on June 7, 1945.  They moved from St. Louis to Phoenix the summer of 1957 with their two daughters, Margaret and Carolyn.  Once settled, Tom and Ruth's main priority was to find a church community where they could serve and feel at home. For over 30 years they attended Phoenix First Free Methodist Church.  Many of those years Tom served as Sunday School Superintendent.  They actively participated in the life of the church, and had a special love for youth.

Eventually Tom and Ruth moved to Leisure World in Mesa and enjoyed spending time with their five grandchildren; J. Paul, Eddie, Shawn, Cari, and Paula.  They had the pleasure of sharing motorhome trips, fishing, Prescott cabin building excursions, and other great adventures.

Tom loved people.  He mentored and supported many young men in launching their own businesses.  He loved sharing his story of faith in God.  He was a man of great integrity, a man who cared deeply about the well being of his family and friends. He was a man who prayed fervently, a student of the Bible.

RUTH SKIPWORTH:
Leona Ruth (Bean) Skipworth was born in St. James, Missouri on October 12, 1924 and died on March 2, 2015.  She was the daughter of Curtis and Ona Bean, and younger sister to Eileen (Bean) Skiles.  

In a matter of days after meeting and falling in love with her new sweetheart, Tom Skipworth, they were married!  Soon after moving to Arizona, Ruth entered cosmotology school, graduated, and eventually launched her own beauty salon. She had a faithful following of clients, many of whom became dear personal friends and were always invited to come to church!

Ruth was tall, slender, and full of energy which she poured into athletics.  From the time she started high school Ruth played softball and became a star pitcher on many teams.  Her love of sports was infused into all five grandchildren - J. Paul, Eddie, Shawn, Cari, and Paula.  Her greatest joy was spending time with each of them.  

Ruth offered the gift of hospitality.  Her capacity to organize special meals at church and retreats (Emmanuel Pines Campground in Prescott) was a special way in which she loved to serve.  

Tom and Ruth Skipworth loved greatly, and were greatly loved.

A WORD FROM MARGARET AND CAROLYN:

In the span of three weeks we have said "good-bye" to our parents.  Loss of loved ones is impossible to anticipate with much accuracy.

On Monday February 16, we held a memorial service at the National Memorial Cemetery in Cave Creek Arizona for our Dad.  On Sunday, June 7 (Mom and Dad's wedding anniversary) there will be a small gathering in Seattle to honor Mom.

Over this past year the trajectory of events leading to the death of both Dad and Mom were distressing and hard to believe.  And even though we are greatly relieved to know their suffering is over, we find ourselves grappling with the loss of two very significant people in our lives.

We have been overwhelmingly grateful for the people who have come across our path to provide loving care to Mom and Dad, for guidance to us through each new place of reality, and your expression of love and kindness.