Jack Leroy Skidgel

Jack Leroy Skidgel of Redmond, Oregon passed away 1 September 2026. He fought a year-long battle with cancer and lost gracefully. He was 81 years old. He was always a man of God. He was baptized as a young child. He attended church regularly throughout his life. His faith carried him through many heartaches, accidents, and illnesses. When he knew time was short, he asked to receive a last communion and a reading of the Lord's Prayer with his immediate family present. The next day he passed away peacefully wearing his cross necklace and his prayer quilt laying over him. Jack was born 29 September 1944 in Eugene, Oregon to Arthur and Mary Skidgel. He also had one older sister Jesse Juanita. He was raised in LaPine where his father and uncle owned a logging company. They logged in both central and eastern Oregon. He worked in the local mills throughout high school. Jack graduated from Bend High School in June 1962. Jack attended Oregon State University where he received his certification in Large Diesel Equipment Mechanics. And of course this made him a lifelong Beaver Believer football fan. While going to school he worked at the International Harvester Farm Store in Junction City. He always worked hard to provide a good life for his family. Jack married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Ann Payne, on 27 August 1966 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bend. They had just celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary the Thursday before he passed away. They spent many happy years together raising a family and watching their grandchildren grow up. They were very proud of all of them. They moved to Madras where he went to work at Jefferson County Co-Op. He worked there from June 1966 to 1988 as a mechanic and then as a tractor salesman. He joined the team at Keith Manufacturing in 1988 as a sales representative (both national and international) and mechanical troubleshooter. Jack attended many trade shows and meetings with companies through the years, which he thoroughly enjoyed. And he made a lot of good friends along the way. He remained there until retiring in March 2011. Once retired, Jack and Barbara took multiple mini vacations to their favorite spots in Oregon. They spent a lot of quality time with their children, grandchildren, and recently their great-grandchild, all of which live in Central Oregon. They also spent a lot of time visiting with the many friends they had made over the years. Jack loved spending time hunting, fishing, and working on his favorite toy-his Jeep. He went on many hunting trips with his son and grandson, who also shared his love for hunting. Three generations having fun together. Jack is survived by his wife, Barbara. Their daughter Brenda Jeffries, husband Donald and son Daniel. Their son Bryan Skidgel, wife Cory, and their children Fiona, Terrance (wife Caylah and daughter Maylee), Caroline, and Patrick. His nephews Timothy Sanderson, Kenny Duling, and Rodney Duling; along with many cousins., Jack is preceded in death by both of his parents, sister, and one niece Regina. A Celebration Of Life will be held on Saturday, 26 September 2026 at 1:00 pm at Zion Lutheran Church located at 1113 SW Blackbutte Blvd Redmond, Oregon. For those unable to attend, but want to watch it, you can log onto the churches website and clink on live stream. A reception with a light lunch will be served afterwards. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you make a donation to Brightside Animal Shelter 1355 NE Hemlock Ave Redmond, Oregon 97756. Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home was honored to handle the arrangements.

Jack Leroy Skidgel

September 9, 1944 - September 1, 2026