Darryl Glenn Skidmore

Darryl Glenn Skidmore, 65, of Gray, passed away Wednesday, May 13, 2020.  A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 6, 2020 at 2:00PM at First Baptist Church of Gray with the Reverend Randy Darnell officiating.

The son of the late Glen Joseph and Hazel Ester Ragan Skidmore, Darryl grew up in Macon and attended Shurlington Baptist Church.  He graduated from Northeast High School and attended Georgia College and State University.

He was a member of First Baptist Church of Gray.  Darryl was preceded in death by his sister, Denise Skidmore Saturna and niece, Kaitlyn Skidmore.

Darryl is survived by his wife of 14 years, Janet Skidmore; children, Brian Skidmore, Philip Skidmore, both of Flowery Branch, Georgia, James Thomas (JT) Skidmore and Charles Jasper (CJ) Skidmore, both of Gray; step son, Benjamin Thomas Herrmann (Aileen) of Maryland; step grandson, Dillon Zachary Herrmann of Maryland; brothers, Dennis Skidmore (Trudy) and David Skidmore (Debbie); brother-in-law, Joseph Saturna; and former wife, Sheryl Skidmore of Lilburn, Georgia. 

Darryl was born in Macon, Georgia and was raised in the Shurlington area on, what was then, a dirt street.  The neighborhood had other families with children—so outdoor play in the surrounding woods reigned as one of his favorite pastimes.  He picked up a love of being in nature. He was a Cub Scout and enjoyed fishing, hiking, camping, and hunting. Even while being confined to a wheelchair later in life, he would strike out to the wooded areas around his home and sometimes had to be towed out.

Darryl married his high school sweetheart, Sheryl, and they bought their first house in Gray. During the years that followed, he and Sheryl enjoyed raising their two sons, Brian and Philip. The neighborhood was filled with friends and family activities, including memorable cookouts. In later years, Brian became an electrician, and Philip, a City of Atlanta police officer. Darryl was proud of Brian and Philip for their accomplishments.  His younger sons, CJ and JT (who were later adopted) are completing their secondary education at middle and high schools in Jones County.

Darryl later moved to the Atlanta area. He worked for Applied Technologies in sales for a number of years.

Health complications set in and Darryl had an aortic aneurysm in 1993 from a genetic disorder of Marphan Syndrome.  Two of his three siblings also had complications from the disorder.  In 1993, experienced surgeons at Emory were able to repair the aortic damage with little physical consequences.  He was not so lucky in 2003, when again, a 2nd aneurysm left him paralyzed as a paraplegic due to the length of the surgery required to again repair the aorta.  Recovery included a 3 month stay at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta. 

While at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Darryl learned ways to cope with his paralysis to include water sports.  He was so enthused with the care and assistance, that Peer Support meetings at the Shepherd Center were attended for 10 years afterwards-even to the extent of driving from Gray.  With Janet to assist, Darryl would travel trails and other outdoor activities.  He was fearless in life, so a wheelchair would not prevent him from participating in his love of family and nature.

Darryl and Janet met through a Christian internet dating site which they believed developed as an answer to both of their prayers to find a good Christian mate. Taking things slow, they embraced technology and texted for 3 months before even a phone call. At the end of their first “in person” introduction and date at a local Italian restaurant, Darryl indicated he would understand if she wanted out because of his paralysis. Janet chose to stay.  They were married early the next year. They moved from Atlanta back to Gray to buy their home and be closer Darryl’s siblings.

Through a presentation at First Baptist Church of Gray, Darryl and Janet made the commitment to become foster parents. Because the Skidmore residence included a household of Golden Retriever dogs, the foster children were able to experience the unconditional love of a warm, fuzzy Golden Retriever during their stay.  

Darryl was an avid player of computer games and especially crossword puzzles and educational games, which he obtained through his Pogo.com membership.  Darryl also applied these analytic skills to investments – especially real estate.  His skill and love of buying and renting real estate helped the family budget as well as provided nice homes for his tenants. 

He was a proud member of several churches – Shurlington Baptist (Macon), First Baptist Church of Woodstock and First Baptist Church of Gray.

As a family, Darryl and family faithfully attended morning church service and Sunday School classes at First Baptist Church of Gray. He especially enjoyed the Wednesday night bible study. His two younger boys, JT and CJ, participated in the AWANA children’s program. He was proud when his son, JT chose to be baptized.

In the years to follow, his health deteriorated leading to a stroke and later renal failure with home dialysis. Travel outside the house was limited to required doctor appointments and numerous hospitalizations.

Darryl was interested in learning about heaven.  He read books on heaven, as well as, the experiences of people who died and then were resuscitated.  We all know that he is there now, with a new body, and probably comparing notes for the experience with all he learned while here on earth.  We can only imagine….

Please visit www.hartsmort.com to express condolences.

Hart’s Jones County Chapel, Hart's Mortuary and Cremation Center, 307 Pecan Lane, Gray, GA 31032 has charge of the arrangements.

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