Larry Dale Skaggs Jr.
Larry Dale Skaggs, Jr., of Olmsted, Illinois, went to his forever fishing hole at Deaconess Hospital on July 6, 2023, in Evansville, Indiana, at the age of 41.
To know Larry, was to know the superhero he was: a kind, gentle soul, with grit, a big heart, and MacGyver skills. While his family and friends are shocked by his death, they are trying to find comfort he chose to be his own hero, finding peace.
Larry was born on May 10, 1982, in Portsmouth, Ohio, the son of Ramona “Kay” Jordan and Larry Skaggs Sr.
Larry lost his dad tragically at the age of 5. His mother, Kay, preceded him in death in January 2020.
Growing up in the holler, of Southern Ohio, on the Ohio River, he was a true “hillbilly” from birth.
His childhood was filled with love, adventures and lots of orneriness. Whether it was making Pap get down on all fours for unlimited horsey rides, coon hunting with his Uncle Boyce and Grandpa Champ or working the garden and being spoiled by Maw and Gran; Larry has always been the apple of his family’s eye.
In 1988, Larry became big brother to Nick and gained his forever step-dad Ron.
Growing up with Nick and sister-cousins Mary Jo and Mikey, Larry usually was leading them all into some type of mischief.
The camping trips, family cook outs and bond they all shared, still connect the four.
Larry had no problem doing anything his Uncle Boyce put him up too. Once, Boyce told him to drag the water hose into house, waiting for the perfect moment to drench Aunt Tammy and his mom, as they left for a Saturday night on the town.
Larry and his Aunt Tammy always had a special bond, so much deeper than their love of beer and Randy Travis.
Larry attended South Webster High School, graduating in 2000. In his teen years, you could find Larry with Aaron, Chris, Jarret, Landon, Jason and all the “Fredrick Road Boys” at Firebrick riding dirt bikes or sneaking into any pond they could find. Add fast cars and bonfires, they were always together, usually up to no good.
Larry started a career in the Ohio Painter’s Union Local No. 555. Working for Universal Inc., he met his mentor and father figure, Furbee. Their relationship was not boss and employee, but more like father and son.
Traveling all over the country painting smokestacks, bridges, and mines, Larry always looked forward going home to Gran’s for the weekend. Especially in 2008 when his beloved and favorite niece was born, Brailey Jo. She was always his girl and he was very proud of the young lady she was becoming.
In 2009, while traveling to the home of Superman in Illinois, he walked in the local bar and grill, to meet his Wonder Woman. Six months later, he moved to Illinois, creating his life with Betsy and raising their boys in Olmsted.
On June 15, 2013, Larry the Marlboro Man himself, married his Betty Boop, Elizabeth “Betsy” Austin.
In this union, Larry gained his oldest son, Connor, and a year later Isaac Dale was born.
Larry and Betsy shared 15 years of love, good times and a closeness that was unexplainable. Their ying-yang personalities, both being Taurus, common love Clay Walker and Ludacris, hard work and a good time, produced an unexplainable closeness and many memories to cherish. They were each other’s Frat Dad and Hot Momma. She will always hold on to their trips, recently their anniversary weekend adventure to Garden of the Gods. Denying his request, she will not be following the instructions of Joe Diffee.
Larry passed down his love of dirt bikes and fishing to Connor early on. Larry and Connor spent many days racing, riding on river, sneaking into the ponds with the biggest bass and sharing the love they both had for Betsy.
He taught Connor hard work, compassion and the best qualities, a good man should be. Larry was so proud of him, for following his dreams.
If any little boy was their dad made over, it is Isaac Dale! Big hearted, freckled faced, ready for “GO” and super brave, Larry taught him hard work and honesty, in their time together. Larry loved his boys, calling them both the best thing he ever did.
He met his best friend and co-painter, Craig, shortly after moving to Illinois, on the riverbank. One Sunday Funday, he sank his truck to fenders in the Ohio river gumbo behind the Keistler’s homestead. They still remained friends at the time of Larry’s passing.
Larry’s sons, nephews and all the neighborhood kids loved Larry. Whether it was fixing bike tires, fishing, making them face their fears on the zip-line, pranking them or putting them up to mischief, Larry was always the big kid.
Frog gigging and fishing with Connor and Gavin, ziplining with Jaden and Jake, opening a can with Josh and Collin, or eating banana splits for breakfast with Isaac, Griffin and Eli, then lunch and dinner, all in the same day. He loved them so much!
This summer, alone he taught Eli to drive the side by side, face his fear of river and even got him in a kayak.
He helped coach Isaac’s baseball team along with Kobe, buying both teams ice cream after a hard-fought game with extra innings.
Larry loved pranking Lucas and Isaac and was always up for a good badminton match!
It was Larry’s neighbor, little Donna, that met him in the drive way one day, saying “Larry, Larry!! Your shark is on TV!!” Needless to say, a bull shark was found at Olmsted Boat ramp, numerous experts and village officials were interviewed, on how a shark could present itself in the Ohio River...it’s a story his family and friends will laugh about forever.
Larry was a skilled craftsman, using his strong, big hands and knowledge to build anything.
In 2014 he made a career change to be able to come home ever night, with the help of Uncle Donnie and BA Troy, joining the Carpenters and Millwright Unions Local No. 716.
He worked the last phase of building the Olmsted Lock and Dam. At the time of his death, Larry was a member of Millwrights Local No. 1529, employed by Triangle Inc. out of Paducah, Ky. He leaves behind his closest work buddies Josh, Micah, and Harper and many more he met over the years.
Larry was the owner and operator of S & S Hydro Clean. It was his dream to be a successful business owner.
Larry leaves behind, his best friend and trophy wife; his intelligent son Connor Evan, currently training at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas; his sweet, brave mini-me, Isaac Dale, all of Olmsted; his maternal grandmother who helped raised him, Mary Stone, South Webster, Ohio; father-in law David Austin of Perks, Illinois; brother Nick Aldridge, wife Jesica, of Carbondale, Illinois, and their children, Colton, Avery, Sydney and Kane; sister-cousins, Mary Jo Toland and husband, Roger of South Webster, Ohio, and their children, Brailey Jo and Ryker; Mykal Pigeut and children Robbie and Miley Jo of South Webster, Ohio; sister through marriage Melissa (Austin) Little, husband Elvis, of Lake Dallas, Texas, and their children Eli and Griffin Dale; brother-in-law Nathan Austin of Perks, Illinois; aunt Tammy Jordan of South Webster, Ohio; uncle through marriage Donnie Jones and wife, Stacie, of Grand Chain, their children Megan, Collin, Millie, Jake, and Josh; great-uncle Bud Hayslip of Oak Hill, Ohio; great-aunt through marriage Dawn Austin of Scott City, Mo.; his fur babies Kiki and Buddy; neighbors Lewis, Dave, Sam and Dawson; and many other family and neighbors.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents; his mother and father through marriage, Sherry and Butch Kennedy; his uncle; his grandfather Champ Jordan; maternal great-grandparents Pap and Maw.
Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 15, at Jones Funeral Home in Villa Ridge, with Brother Brian Lingle officiating. Larry’s place of serenity will be between the Ohio River and Caledonia Community Church, where he was baptized, in the Masonic Cemetery in Olmsted.
To sign the online guestbook visit, www.jones-funeral.com.
Jones Funeral Home Villa Ridge was in charge of arrangements.
The family’s wishes are that you have a conversation with your family about mental illness and requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Suicide Prevention of America. To learn more you can visit, https://www.spsamerica.org/ or to the family in memory of Larry Skaggs Jr.