Mr. Johnny Ray Skipper

Ward Wilson Funeral Home

Viewed: 3083

Posted by: Ward Wilson
Date: May 12 2015 9:10 AM

Retired, USMC MSGT, Johnny Ray Skipper of Midland City Alabama, received a call on May 11, 2015 at three in the morning from the Head Commandant and accepted the call to go home with him. Johnny endured an intense battle with cancer for over a year and fought the hardest battle of his life with great dignity.

 

He is preceded in death by his father Earl Skipper and survived by his wife, Shirley Ann Henley Skipper of over 25 years, a mother Margaret Skipper of Dothan, a daughter Cheryl (Jeff) Burch, two granddaughters, Vivian and Athena of Palm Bay, FL, a grandson, Jonathan Jimenez.  A son Ian M. (Jessica) Skipper, two grandsons Matthew and Hayden, three granddaughters, Kelli, Zoey and Ginny Lou; two brothers Mickey (Shelia) Skipper of Ashford, James (Carol) Skipper of Dothan, five nieces Brandi (Terri) Paramore, Brooke (Josh) Hughes, Jamie Skipper, Rachael Henley of Norfolk, VA, Joannah (Rick) Reich of Delray Beach, FL, five nephews, Brent (Christy) Skipper of Dothan, Benjamin Skipper, Joseph, Samuel and Noah.  Great nieces and nephews include Clay and Colin Paramore, Owen, Evan and Avery Hughes, Curtis and Carter Skipper, Harper Evan Reich.  One sister-in-law Brenda Dianne Byrd & Rev. Jim Bird of Pensacola, FL and special friends and niece and nephew Karon and Ed Dorsey of Dothan, AL and John Eric Overstreet of Mobile, AL.

 

Johnny was born on January 10, 1948 in Greenville, AL to Earl and Margaret Skipper.  He graduated from Dothan High and then joined the Marines where he served his country with great pride and accomplishment for the next 20 years.  It is impossible to list all the decorations, commendations and medals that he received while in service.  Among a few, Johnny received a Rifle Expert Badge, Pistol Sharpshooter Badge, Meritorious Mast, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2), Combat Action Ribbon, RVN Cross of Gallantry, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal (5), Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam MUC Civil Action W/Palm and Frame, Certificate of Commendation, Humanitarian Service Medal.  He was educated as a Career Planner, Map and Aerol Planner, Ground Safety Management, Nuclear Weapon Loading, Conventional Weapon Loading, and MK-4 Gun Pod and the list goes on.  He was a true marine through and through and never let you forget it.

 

In addition to Johnny’s accomplishments, he served the City of Dothan as a police officer for 22 years whereby he received numerous commendations for outstanding service to the community.  But the heart of his service there was not only to serve and protect the people of Dothan but to be able to train the men and women there correctly through the years and train them in all aspects of discovery, care and how to detonate Bombs to protect the people more efficiently.  His pride and joy was the Bomb Squad with the City of Dothan where he was eager to teach, train and respond at a moments notice wherever needed.  Johnny never bragged, never flaunted his abilities and knowledge and never required special attention for any situation.  He was a quiet, dedicated and decent man that was simplistic but in retrospect was one of the greatest men and most accomplished men that you would ever meet accompanied by an incredible sense of servitude toward his country, family, community and church.

 

Johnny was a member of Cedar Grove Baptist Church of Midland City, AL.  He was proud of his church, his savior and his Pastor Benny Cole and wife Donna and the wonderful people there.  Many thanks to Pastor Benny and Donna for their multiple visits, love and concern as well as the church family.  Also, the family would love to thank Gentiva Hospice and Home Health for all they did for Johnny and the family to have such a wonderful group of people supporting you.  A special thanks to Dr. Chris Miller and Dr. Jarrod Adkison at Southeast AL Med Center and Dr. Black at St. Vincent’s in Birmingham, AL, for their unending care and pursuit of a cure and to the nurses for their support and care.

 

Visitation will be at Ward Wilson Funeral Home at 2414 Hartford Hwy, Dothan, AL, Wednesday May 13, 2015 with family from 5 to 6PM and friends may call from 6-8PM.  The funeral will be Thursday at Ward Wilson Funeral Home in the Chapel at 1PM with the Rev. Benny Cole and Rev. Jim Bird officiating.  The internment to follow at 2PM at Gardens of Memory Cemetery on Hwy 431, Dothan, AL where Johnny will be laid to his final rest.  You’ve fought a good fight, you have kept the faith, now enter in my good and faithful servant, will be the next words you will hear.  Semper Fi!

Ward Wilson Memory Hill Funeral Home Cemetery and Crematory

2414 Hartford Highway

Dothan, Alabama 36305

334-792-4194

 

www.wardwilson.com

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