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In memory of

Gerald Edward Skaare

Kennewick, WA, USA

March 15, 1941 - April 17, 2020

Mar 15, 1941 - Apr 17, 2020

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Gerald Edward Skaare (Jerry), 79, passed away April 17, 2020 in Kennewick, WA after a brief battle with esophageal cancer. He was a loving husband and father of three children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Jerry was born on March 15, 1941 in Everett, WA to Mayo and Meta (McKay) Skaare. He was an amazing big brother to his little sister, Janet, and loved to spend time with their many cousins. He was a National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalist, and attended Stanford University on scholarship following graduation from Everett High School. He joined the Navy in 1962 and spent the next 22 years serving his country in the field of Avionics, earning many awards, including the Navy Commendation Medal . He retired as a Master Chief in 1984 after spending 18 years of his career stationed at NAS Whidbey. Following his retirement from the Navy, He embarked on a second career as a project manager at Hanford, and then as a private consultant for nuclear plants around the nation.
On October 11, 1964, he married the love of his life, Winifred (Winnie) Richards Schmidt of Memphis, TN. Married for more than 50 years, they built a beautiful life and family while raising their three children, Melissa, Erin, and Chris. While stationed on Whidbey Island, Jerry was an active member of Whidbey Presbyterian Church, serving as an elder, on many committees, and singing in the choir. He also volunteered with school and 4-H programs, and cheered his children on in sports, music and other activities. Jerry had a great passion for the arts, and loved sketching, painting, and woodcarving. He especially cherished introducing his children and grandchildren to all forms of music, and had an extensive collection of instruments, recordings and autographs. He and Winnie attended the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival for many years, taking several of their grandchildren to the many concerts and memorable experiences offered there. He was also an avid fan of the Seattle Seahawks, Tri-Cities Americans, and the Seattle Mariners. He loved attending and watching games with friends and family, and traveled to Arizona with friends for Spring Training for many years.
Jerry adored animals, and made fast friends with almost any dog he met. He was an avid reader and lifelong learner, and he loved nothing more than to offer help or support to his family, friends, and neighbors. He was always known for his creativity, his dry and often silly wit (LOTS of dad jokes), his infectious laugh, and his kind and compassionate spirit.
Jerry was preceded in death by his father, Mayo, his mother, Meta, his step-father, Cliff, and his wife, Winnie. He is survived by his children, Melissa (Larry) Halverson, Erin (Mike) Koplitz, Chris (Jacquie) Skaare, his sister, Janet (Steve) Sims, and his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 11 at 2 o’clock p.m. at Windjammer Park/City Beach (in the West C Kitchen area), SW Beeksma Drive, Oak Harbor, WA. Social distancing will be observed during this outdoor gathering, and masks are encouraged and will be provided if needed. Donations may be sent to Chaplaincy Healthcare, 1480 Fowler Street, Richland, WA 99352, https://chaplaincyhealthcare.…, or Summit Cancer Foundation, 6001 North Mayfair Street, Spokane, WA 99208, http://www.summitcancerfounda…

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