Obituary of James Donald Skaggs, 1996:
James Donald Skaggs, 61, of Clinton died Sunday in U.T. Medical Center, Knoxville.
In the 1970s, Mr. Skaggs was known as “Coach Skaggs” to many of Clinton’s youth. He coached various sports for the Optimist Club. Baseball was his favorite.
His Little League baseball team competed on the state championship level for several years.
Mr. Skaggs managed the Ritz Theatre in Clinton during the final months of operation.
In the 1980s, he started his volunteer service for the Anderson County Senior Nutrition Program. Mr. Skaggs delivered meals to those who needed assistance in the Clinton Towers for more than 13 years. He was awarded the JC Penney Golden Rule Award for his volunteer spirit in 1990.
The art of giving was evident in his life and even in his death. Mr. Skaggs donated his eyes for research to the East Tennessee Lions Eye Bank. Legally blind for most of his life, he hoped to, in some way, help others to see. He also made an anatomical gift to the University of Tennessee, Memphis.
He was preceded in death by his father, Dail Skaggs, and his step-father, Charles Henderson.
Survivors include his mother, Flossie Henderson of Columbus, OH; son and wife, Dennis and Terri Skaggs of Cumming, GA; daughter and husband, Donna and Danny Vickery of Clinton; sisters, Linda Weber and Susan Skaggs of California; grandson, David Skaggs of Georgia; step-granddaughters, Rachel and Jessica Vickery of Clinton; stepmothers, Floella Skaggs of Clinton; nephew, Bobby Weber of Missouri nieces, Peggy Ritter and Jenny Alcantra of Arizona; and special friends, Harriett Fite, Neal and Dot Clapp, Willie Loy, former wife, Nancy, and his many friends in Clinton Towers.
A memorial service will be 7 pm Wednesday, June 15, in Clinton Christian Church. A service will also be conducted 7 pm Thursday, June 16, in Clinton Towers.
Clinton Courier News 8 June 1994
[Submitted by Renee Scarbrough]