Delbert Francis Skinner passed from this world on September 11, at Brookside Manor in Overbrook, Kansas.
Delbert was born on January 28, 1952 to Francis J Skinner and Barbara Frances Born Skinner. He grew up in Eudora, Kansas and graduated from Eudora High School in 1970. He played semi-pro baseball in Kansas City after graduating high school and also participated in rodeos in his younger years. He married Diana Gaines on January 23, 1976 and moved to her grandfather’s farm in the Twin Mound area until they built their lifetime home on Diana’s other grandfather’s land in the Lone Star area. He enjoyed motorcycle racing until their two daughters arrived and then switched to horses. He was a farrier and worked on saddles and tack in his spare time.
Delbert retired from Kmart warehouse in 2007 after 35 years of service. He spent the remainder of his life traveling with his wife and their horses to trail ride around the United States. When not traveling he kept busy working on saddles in his garage and maintaining the equestrian trails on the South Shore Trails at Clinton Lake.
He enjoyed spending time with his six grandchildren, teaching them how to shoot, fish, sharpen chain saws, work on saddles and use power tools.
Delbert was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Robert and sister Patricia Hynes. Delbert is survived by his wife, Diana, of the home. Other survivors included daughters Roslyn Mers (Mike), Austin, Texas and Danielle Skinner (Christopher), Overbrook, and six grandchildren, Kaiser and Aria Springer, Ryder and Kinsley Skinner, and Scarlett and Lincoln Mers.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Gaines Walnut Grove 933 E 350 Road, Overbrook, Kansas on Sunday, September 25 from 2:00-6:00 p.m. A memorial trail ride will be held November 12 at Rockhaven Horse Park, Clinton Lake, Lawrence, Kansas
Memorial contributions can be made to Back Country Horsemen of American or Wakarusa Valley Heritage Museum sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, Kansas 66044.
