James “Jim” Noel Skow, Sr., of Devine, Texas, passed away on June 21, 2026, at the age of 91. Jim was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on January 15, 1935, son of Noel W. and Margaret Priess Skow, and the oldest of six siblings. After leaving home and hitchhiking across the country at the age of 17, Jim found himself in Texas where he joined the United States Air Force on July 11, 1952. He was stationed at Perrin AFB in Sherman, Texas, where he met the love of his life, Anna Louise “Lou” Simonds, whom he married on August 26, 1954. Jim and Lou went on to have two children, James “Jim” Skow, Jr., and Jennifer “Jenny” McCubbin.
Jim served his country for 14 years as an aircraft mechanic, completing tours at Perrin AFB, in Sherman, Texas; Misawa, Japan; and Cannon AFB in Clovis, New Mexico, along with several short-term assignments both domestic and abroad. While enlisted, Jim was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, and Air and Space Longevity Service Award. He received an Honorable Discharge in July 1966 and relocated his family to San Antonio, Texas, where he continued to serve in a civilian capacity for another 27 years, first with a temporary assignment in A/C repair at Randolph AFB and eventually settling in as a Production Controller at Kelly AFB. His civilian career included a Sustained Superior Performance Award in recognition of his sustained high-quality performance from July 1, 1984, through June 30, 1985. Jim and Lou moved to Devine, Texas, in July 1986, where he took on the task of remodeling a home to Lou’s specifications and playfully joked that most wives moved sofas but his liked to move entire rooms and walls. He retired on March 31, 1993, after almost 41 years of distinguished service, which gave him time to work on his many projects and cherished hobbies.
When Jim wasn’t working on his “honey-do” list, you could often find him and Lou boot-scooting at the local Country and Western dance hall on a Friday or Saturday night; playing bingo at the NCO club on Sunday evening; checking out flea markets, garage sales, or estate sales to find that one-of-a-kind bargain; attending local horse races; or visiting their favorite casinos in Las Vegas or Tunica, Mississippi.
Jim shared a passion for artistry and craftsmanship with his son, Jim, Jr., and a love of sports and fishing with his daughter, Jenny. In addition to these mutual interests, Jim could often be found tending to his garden, where his yearly crop of tomatoes kept both his family and much of the surrounding community well-stocked. He was quick with a joke around friends and strangers alike, and never missed an opportunity to share tall tales about his past or current endeavors. He was fond of animals, and routinely had one or more dogs or cats that had found their way to the safe haven of his home. He shared a passion for good food and poker games with the entire family, and his house was almost always the gathering place for any given family event (always topped off with the requisite food and games).
Jim eventually became a proud grandfather and welcomed his three grandchildren, Jason, Jon, and Travis, with a broad smile and open arms. For the remainder of his life, he would become affectionately known as “Gramps” to his grandchildren, and then to any new family members and friends, by extension. His family grew further when his grandchildren found their true loves, Stacy, Stevie, and Kara, and he was subsequently blessed with four great-grandchildren, Chase, Haylee, Mason, and Willow, all of whom filled his life with pride and affection.
Jim is preceded in death by his wife Louise; parents Noel and Margaret; and brothers Ronald “Ronnie”, Richard “Dickie”, and William “Bill”. He is survived by his sister Margaret “Margie” (Tom); his brother Dennis (Carol); his children Jim, Jr., and Jenny; his grandchildren Jason (Stacy), Jon (Stevie), and Travis (Kara); his great-grandchildren Chase, Haylee, Mason, and Willow; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will commence with a visitation on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Brookehill Funeral Home, 711 S.E. Military Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78214.
An additional visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., followed by a service at 9:30 a.m. at the Brookehill Funeral Home Chapel. Upon completion of the Chapel service, there will be a procession to Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery where services will continue graveside and Jim will be laid to rest with full military honors and will be reunited with his cherished wife, Lou.
Please consider honoring Jim by cheering on his beloved Packers or one of his baseball teams, the Brewers, Cubs, or Braves (all of which were at one point the closest team to his hometown of Milwaukee) or the Astros which became a favorite when he landed in Texas; sharing a meal or a game with family or friends; tending to your garden or woodworking project; petting your furry friends; or simply telling a tall tale. All of these things will make him smile.
James N. Skow
