Paul Short Skaggs, a resident of Fortuna, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 26, 2007. Paul was born April 15, 1921, in Sturkie, Arkansas, to James Garfield Skaggs and Ora Lee Short Skaggs. In the early 1940's Paul was a professional boxer, with a record of 15-0-1 in matches from Bakersfield to Portland, including the Eureka Municipal Auditorium, where he was known as "Fightin' Red Skaggs". When he first moved to Humboldt County, he worked for Chicago Bridge & Iron Works at the Eureka Dry Docks. Paul met Martha Lue Sisco at the Scotia skating rink and married her in 1944. Paul and Martha made their home in Scotia where they raised their two children, Kenneth Paul and Paula Kay. He worked as a welder for the Pacific Lumber Company in Scotia and Yager Creek for 40 years until arthritis forced him into retirement and in 1981 relocated to Fortuna.
Paul was preceded in death by siblings, Velva, Mack, Claude, Juanita, Bill and Sarah.
Paul is survived by his wife of 62 years, Martha Lue Skaggs of Fortuna; his son and wife, Ken and Carol Skaggs of Eureka; his daughter, Kay Cleland of Cambria; his three grandchildren, April Cleland of Sacramento, Heather Brooke Skaggs Spagnolo and her husband Phil of Auburn, Washington, and Ryan Paul Skaggs of Las Vegas, Nevada; and his two little great-granddaughters, Anna and Rose Spagnolo of Auburn, Washington. Paul also leaves behind a brother, a sister, five half-brothers and sisters, numerous nieces and nephews, as well as many friends.
Our family wishes to thank the staff and friends at St. Luke's Rest Home in Fortuna (especially Irma, Juanita and Frank) for the help, support, and care they gave Paul during the last few years.
Arrangements under the direction of Goble's Fortuna Mortuary, Fortuna, CA, with a private service for the family.