Jerome McIntyre Skeers

Jerome McIntyre Skeers, 68, passed away Wednesday, January 2, 2013, at his home in Windsor Heights, with his wife Linda at his side.

Funeral services will be held Monday, January 7, at 1 p.m., at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in West Des Moines, with burial at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines. A dinner will follow at the Church. Visitation will be held Sunday, January 6, 2013, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m., at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway.

Jerry was born in Des Moines to Harold and Dorotha (McIntyre) Skeers on July 21, 1944, while his father was serving in the Army Air Corps. After traveling to various locations in the Southwest, where his father was stationed, the family returned to Iowa after the war. Jerry lived and attended school in Ottumwa and Urbandale before the family moved to a farm near Waukee in 1956. He participated in 4H, raising dairy heifers and working on the farm. Jerry graduated from Waukee Community High School in 1962. While at Iowa State University, he joined the Army ROTC program, and after graduating with a B.S. in Industrial Engineering, received a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army. He served a tour of duty in Vietnam from March 1969 to February 1970, and then returned to Des Moines. After leaving active duty, he continued to serve in the Army Reserve and later in the National Guard. He retired with the rank of Lt. Colonel.

Jerry married Linda Lozano in 1972, with Phyllis Franklin playing matchmaker. Mary and Harold Franklin hosted their first date. They lived in Beaverdale and later in Windsor Heights. After working for a time at Northwestern Bell Telephone Company and the Iowa Department of Health, Jerry found a career-long passion for the field of industrial safety when he took a position at the Occupational Safety and Health Division of the Iowa Department of Labor. He worked tirelessly leading a team of inspectors to enforce labor safety and health laws and regulations on behalf of Iowa working people. After leaving the state he worked for Environmental Testing Laboratories.

Jerry was a lifelong car and driving enthusiast and enjoyed travel. He and Linda and other friends and family members took many trips together. Mary and Jerry Goodrich were frequent dinner companions. Buffets with the Sunday crowd will always be remembered. Photography was another of his interests and he was often the documentarian at events and family gatherings. Jerry was an excellent speaker and longtime member of Toastmasters International and won a number of contests and awards. He was a voracious reader on a wide variety of topics and a regular user and supporter of his public libraries. He was a rabble rouser on behalf of Friends of the Green.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Karen Skeers Ellington. He is survived by his wife, Linda; his brothers, Dennis (Lisa) of Pittsburgh, and Timothy of Des Moines; and many beloved nieces and nephews and their children.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Family School and Sacred Heart School.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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