Charles William (Jack) Skaggs, of Crocker, entered the presence of his Heavenly Father, on July 10, 2013.

He was born in Crocker, Missouri, on December 23, 1923, to Mert Charles and Artie (Rumbaugh) Skaggs. After graduating from Crocker High School, he went to work in the family business that his father started, Skaggs Furnace Company.

He was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II and attained the rank of Sergeant. He courageously served his country earning three Bronze Stars, three Overseas Bars, the Philippine Liberation Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Medal, Victory Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. He served in the Philippines, New Guinea and Ryukyus Islands. After returning from World War II, he joined his Dad and his brother, Richard, in the family business.

After his marriage to Virginia Williams on June 13, 1946, he and his new bride moved to Tulsa where Jack worked for the Frisco Railroad. After Jack and Virginia returned to Crocker to be close to their families, Jack again became involved in the daily operation of Skaggs Furnace Company.

Jack and Richard became the sole owners of the family business when their dad, Mert, retired. They built and installed wood burning furnaces throughout Missouri, and many homes today are still heated by these Skaggs Furnaces. This was a hard and physically demanding job, but Jack made friends throughout the state of Missouri serving as the personal representative for his furnaces. His drive for providing an excellent product became widely known and served as the foundation of the business until Jack and Richard retired in 1999.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one grandson, Jaythan Skaggs; one brother, Richard; and two sisters, Gay Newcomb and Bonnie Kamins.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Virginia; daughter Beth and husband, Tim Hardesty, sons, Bill and wife, Beth Skaggs, Jim and wife, Dorothy Skaggs, son Jeff Skaggs, and daughter, Jill Skaggs. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Holli Bryant, Kelli Hardesty, Kimberly Henson, Jeremy Skaggs, Jacklyn and Andrew Skaggs, and Beau Skaggs. He also has four surviving great-grandchildren, Maddi Bryant, Jayse Skaggs, and Landin and Abbie Henson. He has one surviving sister, Myrtle Fiore, several nieces and nephews, and a community of friends.

He was a lifetime member of the First Baptist Church, Crocker. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post No. 4956, the American Legion Post No. 195, and the Disabled American Veterans Chapter No. 49.

Jack has been a resident of the Dixon Rehabilitation and Care Center for the past five years, and the family expresses their sincere appreciation for the love and care they have provided to him during this time.

Jack will be remembered for the love he had for his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His love of sports, especially the St. Louis Cardinals, was widely known. His family and friends fondly remember Jack as a hard-working man who expected everyone to put in a hard days work for a days pay.

Visitation was held Saturday, July 13, 2013, at the First Baptist Church, Crocker.

Funeral services were held at Noon, July 13, 2013, at the First Baptist Church, Crocker, with graveside services immediately following in the Crocker Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the First Baptist Church, Crocker, with envelopes available at the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Crocker.