Gerald "Buddy" Skaggs

Gerald Levon Skaggs was born July 23, 1932 to Owen and Emma (Hardesty) Skaggs north of Tuttle, OK.  He went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with his family at his side, at the age of 84.

Buddy was born on the north end of the farm where he now lives and own.  He was born in a small two room house on his Grandpa Tom Skaggs farm two miles north of Tuttle.  His family moved to the location where he now lives when he was 12 years old.

Buddy attended Tuttle School starting in the first grade.  He graduated in 1950 from Tuttle High School, went to O.S.U., enrolled in college and rented a trailer with his sister, Jean, to live in while there.  He came back home and had second thoughts so he bought a tractor and began farming.  He bought his first farm north of Tuttle in 1950.

He married Mary Ellen Shook on Sunday, May 24th, 1953 in Tuttle at her parent's home.  They moved to the small 5 room house, north of Tuttle that Buddy bought in 1950.  They raised their 3 children in one small bedroom before building a new brick house in 1966.

Buddy and Mary ran a small dairy for 17 years.  It was a good living, helping to build their new house and to keep on farming.  Buddy was named Outstanding Young Farmer of Oklahoma in 1970.  He has farmed and ranched most of his life.  They decided to quit milking cows when their youngest daughter graduated from high school.  They sold their cows and went into raising registered Black Simmental Cattle.

Buddy and Mary have always been supporters of all activities of the school and town.  Buddy served on the Tuttle School Board for 10 years.  They were very instrumental in the founding of the Tuttle Fair.  Buddy auctioneered the cake sale for over 40 years.  He also served on the board of First National Bank and they still attended football, softball and basketball games and the FFA activities.  He has been a long time member of First Baptist Church where he has taught Sunday School classes and served on various committees.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Owen and Emma Skaggs.

Buddy is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen Skaggs of Tuttle, OK;

2 daughters:  Denise Robinett and husband, Bill, of Tuttle, OK;

Debbie Hoisington and husband, Sam, of Moore, OK;

A son, David Skaggs and wife, Terri, of Tuttle, OK;

A sister, Wanda Jean Adams and husband, Bob, of Joplin, MO;

8 grandchildren:
Robyn Johnson and husband, Paul; Rebecca Cobb and husband, Lance;

Michelle Lingle and husband, Randy; Kayla Stumpf and husband, Eric;

Shawn Skaggs and wife, Kacie; Melissa Cook and fiance' Tommy Challis ;

Sarah Humphrey and husband, Les; and Jessica Loverude and husband, Drew;

and 21 great grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be given to Tuttle First Baptist Church Youth or to the Tuttle Education Foundation.