I'm Johnny, Skips youngest brother. He was 19 years older than I and filled the big brother and father figure roll in my life. One of my brightest memories is when I had just turned 6 years old in 1975 and I remember being at Aunt Merles playing with my army men and the phone rang. She spoke for some amount of time and then said to me "Your brother Skip wants to talk to you." I remember this like it was yesterday. He asked me if I wanted to come live with him in Germany and I said "Yes". I can still hear that part of the conversation. His question and my answer. Looking back I know it wasn't really a choice but he made it seem like one. Skip saved me. On so many different levels but first and foremost he physically rescued me and my brother Jeff and brought us both to live with him Germany. At that time Skip was a 24 year old active duty military man with two 2 Vietnam combat tours and all the associated pain that brought but he stepped up and filled the void. That's what Skip did. He filled the voids and did it with no regard to the cost to himself. He was born older. Skip lived a full life and was beloved by so many of us. I loved him and let him know that every time I talked with him. I am overwhelmed with grief and sadness. I know it will pass and I will live and laugh again with his wife Cathie, Dave and my other siblings. But right now this hurts and this hole in my life seems infinitely huge. Hold those you love tight and let them know you love them. funnier stories coming I promise. :)