Leland J. Skinner died at his home in Thayne on Dec, 28, 2001 at the age of 83.
He was born on Sept 22, 1918 in Bedford to Edward T. and Hazel Coy Skinner, with a brother Cecil to welcome him. Their happiness was to be so short as tragedy struck four months later with the death of the mother with flu. Leland also had the flu. His loving grandparents, Joseph and Catherine Skinner stepped in and raised him. Leland graduated from Star Valley High School. At that time seminary was not held in connection with school, but in Bedford and he received a seminary certificate. He also attended Coyne Electrical School in Chicago.
The family was unfortunate to have their homes burn down twice and when he was in high school and the home burned, he lost everything he owned in that fire.
Leland worked for the Forest Service and among other things he was on the Meadow Creek fire in 1939. He was the first lookout on Dead Man where he slept in a tent.
In 1940 he enlisted in the Air Force and served the next five years during World War II. The first year he was stationed at Fort Douglas, UT and was shipped out for Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines in November 1941 and was in Pearl Harbor, HI on the first of December and at sea when the United States declared war on Japan. He was in Australia a short time and then on to India where they remained until he retu4rned to the states in December 1944, and then was sent to Williams' Field, AZ and Hammer Field CA before being released from the Air Force in June 1945.
He was married to Delsa Dana Skinner in March 1945 in Ogden and later had their marriage solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple. After he was discharged from the Air Force, they returned to Star Valley where they made their home. Leland owned and operated the Skinner Service gas station for many years.
After his retirement from the service he and Delsa served a mission for the LDS Church in Kane, PA. He also served as an officiator in the Idaho Falls Temple for 11 1/2 years. Leland also served as ward finance clerk, as high counselor, Sunday school superintendent and high priest group leader. He was serving as stake usher at his death.
He is survived by his wife and companion of 56 years, Delsa Dana Skinner, his seven children; Valerie Nelson, Lana Jensen, Burnis Skinner, DeLane skinner, Lance Skinner, Kaylene Simpson and Bart Skinner; 35 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Manon clement, Dorene Anderson and Relda Nielsen and one brother Noel Skinner.

Skinner, Leland J (28 Dec 2001)Star Valley Independent