We will send an invite after you submit!
In memory of
Joseph Harold Skinner
March 25, 1948 - June 10, 2019
Mar 25, 1948 - Jun 10, 2019
Photo
Joseph's obituary
Joe, a Colorado native, was happiest when he was out of doors and was intimately acquainted with the hunting, fishing, and hiking spots in western Colorado and the surrounding states. He lived most of his life in Cedaredge and Grand Junction. Joe celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary June 7 with his wife Linda, and was a dedicated and loving father to his children Amber, Jessica, and Tobias, granddaughter Raina, and sons-in-law Himanshu Sharma and Denis Jozefson.
Born in Denver, Colorado on March 25, 1948, Joe was raised by his mother, a registered nurse, and his father, the executive administrator for the Boy Scouts in Colorado. His father instigated the first Boy Scout Jamboree and developed Camp Tahoma in Ward In his words, Joe was “born to fish” and as soon as he could walk, his father cultivated in Joe a love for hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking.
In middle school, after his father’s retirement, Joe moved to Cedaredge, Colorado, where he immersed himself in the outdoors and explored the streams, lakes, and wilderness throughout and around the Grand Mesa. He graduated from Cedaredge High School in 1966, lettering in four sports, and attended the University of Colorado in Boulder. While a student at CU, Joe met his wife, Linda, when he noticed the lovely coed wearing hiking boots in class and figured they might have a lot in common.
Following his undergraduate studies, Joe worked as a juvenile probation officer for Colorado in Grand Junction, which inspired a keen interest in the law. In 1976, he earned his law degree at the University of Colorado.
After obtaining his juris doctorate and passing the Colorado bar, Joe worked for the Mesa County District Attorney's office as a trial deputy before opening a private practice. Throughout his career, Joe focused on land use and zoning issues, water policy issues. In 1993 he left private law to ultimately manage the trust and financial services departments for then Central Bank which merged with Norwest and then became Wells Fargo bank in Grand Junction. When he retired in 2005 he was Private Client Services Western Slope Manager for Wells. Following his retirement from Wells Fargo, he reentered private law practice with James Robb and most recently focused on Estate, Trust and Probate matters serving of counsel for Dufford Waldeck Milburn and Krohn.
Joe was a certified mediator and dedicated many hours pro bono to public service and community betterment. He served as a soccer coach for all three of his children. He was recognized for his many activities by the local Chamber of Commerce, which named him Citizen of the Year in 2008. In his later years, he also taught business law at Colorado Mesa University, served as a Trustee for the University and became a columnist with his wife for 8 years for the Grand Junction Free Press. With Ziva, a certified therapy dog, he visited many Grand Junction elder care centers. Joe loved story telling and creative writing, recently finishing a book about his life-long love affair with the Gunnison Gorge. Most mornings he could be found practicing Tai Chi religiously. He loved to travel and had caught fish on three continents. On the eve of his death he and Linda made travel arrangements for their next fishing trip in Michigan and Wisconsin. Instead, he has gone on to test the waters of the universe.
He believed deeply in the importance of family, nature, community, education, and equality. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to the Eureka Math and Science Center, Colorado Riverfront Commission, Riverside Education Center, Colorado West Land Trust, or the Western Colorado Writers’ Forum.
A viewing for close friends and family will be held Friday, June 14 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1425 5th St. Viewing will be held from 10-11 and the service will begin at 11. A celebration of his life will occur in a couple of weeks; plans are in progress.
Send to someone
Share this obituary with others
Want to stay updated?
Get notified when new photos, stories and other important updates are shared.
In lieu of flowers
Please consider a gift to Eureka! McConnell Science Museum.
$600.00
Raised by 6 people
Recent contributions
Recent contributions
In lieu of flowers
Please consider a gift to Eureka! McConnell Science Museum.
$600.00
Raised by 6 people
Recent contributions
Recent contributions
Share this memorial website
How you can help
Share with others
Donate in memory
Created with love by
Jessica Sharma.
