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Olan Skipper Obituary
SKIPPER, Olan Master Sergeant Olan Pursia Skipper, United States Marine Corps (Retired), was born in Slocomb, Alabama, on July 19, 1919. A long time resident of Hanahan, he passed away on September 27. He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Mary Anne (Peggy) Martello Skipper. He was one of nine children of Geneva Peoples and Joe Bryant Skipper. He was given his middle name by his older brother Him, who served under Army General "Black Jack Pershing" during World War I in Europe. O.P. Skipper grew up on a farm where he hunted and raced his beloved horse, Blaze. With World War II looming, he left the family farm and enlisted in the Marine Corps in December, 1940. After graduating from Boot Camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, he was assigned to aviation duties in Quantico, Virginia. Thus began a career in aviation that he followed in military and civilian life for 42 years. During World War II he served in the invasion of Guam. Later, during the Korean War he served in South Korea, and maintained planes flown by notables such as then Major John Glenn and Captain Ted Williams. An expert with both the Rifle and Pistol, he was on numerous service competition teams throughout his career. He also was a member of the famous Quantico Marines Football Team. During his Marine Corps career, Master Sergeant Skipper worked on every fighter aircraft in the Corps' inventory, to include the AD-4 and the legendary F-4U Corsair. At his last tour in Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station he served as the maintenance chief for his beloved VMF-235 and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. That fighter squadron flew the F-8U, which at that time was the fastest plane on the planet and held numerous speed records. Master Sergeant Skipper's awards include the National Defense Service Medal; the Korean Service Medal, 2nd Award; the United Nations Service Medal; the Korean Presidential Unit Citation; and the Good Conduct Medal, 6th Award. He was a lifetime member of the Marine Corps League and the Disabled American Veterans. After a 21-year career in the Marine Corps, he retired in 1961 and moved to Hanahan, South Carolina. There he took a job as a Civil Service aircraft mechanic working for the United States Air Force at Charleston Air Force Base. During these 'retirement years,' he trained a new generation of aircraft mechanics on transport aircraft such as C-130s, C-141s and C-5As. After 21 years of civil service he retired a second time in 1982, and became an avid bowler. He also traveled throughout the United States and to five continents with his wife Peggy. Master Sergeant Skipper was married to Mary Anne Martello of Brooklyn, New York for 61 years, until she passed away in 2003. He is survived by three children, Dr. Barbara Anne Skipper, PhD and husband Jack Bibbs of Fort Worth, Texas; Colonel Charles O. Skipper, USMC (Ret.) Phd, and his bride Janice of Folly Beach, South Carolina; and Patricia E. Skipper and husband Michael Sillman of Larkspur, California. He has six grandchildren, Gabrielle, Genevieve, and Nathaniel Skipper; Brett and Vanessa Sillman; and Christina DeShong; and two great-grandchildren, Dylan and Dakota DeShong. Visitation will be at the Carolina Memorial Park, North Charleston, from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, September 29. A Funeral Mass will be held at Divine Redeemer Catholic Church, Hanahan, 1 p.m., Saturday, 30 September. Interment will be at Carolina Memorial Park following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Chaplin's Fund, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 109 Bee Street, Charleston, South Carolina 29401. The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the loving staff and volunteers of the VA Hospital where "O.P." Skipper resided for the past three years. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.
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Memories and Condolences
for Olan Skipper
Charles Skipper
October 27, 2006
Dad, The way you lived your life has given your children and our families a tremendous legacy to uphold. We love you and miss you and will carry you in our hearts forever. Semper Fidelis, Chuck
Christina DeShong
October 7, 2006
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I am sorry for your loss. May God be with you all.
Julia Gallant-Lee, CNA
October 3, 2006
Skipper, on the third day the marines over-ran God's perimeter and have been protecting the world ever since..Semper Fi..
James & Debbie Chambless
October 3, 2006
We are so sorry for you loss, but we know that your great faith will get you through this time of sadness. May God give you peace and comfort knowing that He holds your father close to Him.
Love, James & Debbie
Tim & Lisa (Antley) Hearn
October 2, 2006
To the Skippers:
We are so sorry for your loss! I have many delightful memories of your father, and I'll never forget him and your mother. You are all in our prayers.
Chris Chambless
October 2, 2006
My deepest sympathies to all of you. This is such a hard time in life but we have to remember the good times and know they are in a better place. Love Always, Chris
Marchie Murdock
October 1, 2006
I know you were a great man because of the seed you produced and the great works of your seed (Bobbie) in the community. You will be missed! I never met you but your love was spread through the generosity and caring of your daughter. Semper fi
Love Marchie Murdock
George Palmer
October 1, 2006
"Hello MARINE". Those were my remarks to Mr. Skipper every Wednesday when the 3 of us from the Marine Corps League entered his room to visit with him at the VA Medical Center. Our departing words were always "Semper Fi"
Charles Tupper
October 1, 2006
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of MSG Skipper. His sense of humor and friendly manner will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the Skipper family ... you all are such a wonderful group ... obviously the result of having such a resilient and splendid United States Marine Master Sergeant to lead your way!
Sandra Halsey
October 1, 2006
It was such a pleasure having known Mr. Skipper, and having been able to take care of him as one of the staff nurses on the NHCU. He will certainly be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family in this time of sorrow.
Monica Molina
September 30, 2006
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Charles & Jan Bibbs
September 29, 2006
Our prayers and thoughts are with you. Olan was a great American, Soldier, and Father. May he rest in peace knowing he left a family that loved him dearly.
Wade & Jane Dyson
September 29, 2006
To the Skipper Family:
You have our deepest sympathy during this time of your tremendous loss. May you be blessed.
Wade & Jane Dyson
PAT, JAMES & JUSTIN GOBAR
September 29, 2006
Our prayers are with the entire family during the loss of Mr. Skipper. My God bless you all!
Peg Versgrove
September 29, 2006
To the entire Skipper family our deepest sympathy on the death of your loved one. We will keep the entire family in our thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Peg Versgrove & Mrs. Catherine Eyer-OLGC
dave neff
September 29, 2006
The MUSC "Family" has the Skipper family in their thoughts and prayers. Chuck--your Dad's life is truly one to be celebrated and I know you must be proud of all of his accomplishments. I know he must have been very proud of you too. From one veteran to another. Sincerely yours, Dave Neff
Lindsey and Ken Robinson
September 29, 2006
We offer our sympathy. We have great memories of your Dad when he and your Mom would visit Texas. He had such a fun sense of humor.
David Dennis
September 29, 2006
Janice sorry for your loss, you and your family are in my prayers. Facilties maintanance VA>
Margaret Dymond
September 29, 2006
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Patricia Tellman
September 29, 2006
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Carl, Donna, Nicolas, Noah, and Kiley Kern
September 29, 2006
We are praying for your family. Our sympathies are with you.
Mattia Merritt
September 29, 2006
May God be with you and yours as you go through this trying time. You are in my prayers.
Bob and Teddi Huttmeyer
September 29, 2006
We will pray that God keeps you in the palm of His hand.
Marc & Anissa Gonzalez
September 29, 2006
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Loretha Wilder
September 29, 2006
Mr.Skipper,was a man that I truly enjoyed knowing. My prayer and condolence goes to the family.
Beth Gibbs
September 29, 2006
So sorry to hear of Mr. Skipper's passing. Please know you will be in my thoughts and prayer.
Beth Gibbs
Susan Lacey
September 29, 2006
Our thoughts are with you.
Linda Priest
September 29, 2006
What a blessing in this life to have served this country so faithfully as a Marine and have family who constantly surround you with love and attention. Mr. Skipper was a dear man and certainly a Marine through and through. On behalf of our Beaufort chapter of Women Marines Association, the Phyllis Alexander Chapter, we offer our sympathy to each family member and feel blessed ourselves to have been privileged to know Mr. Skipper. These connections truly are a touch of heaven in this troubled world.
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