Oreon Scott Skinner's Obituary
Childhood & Early Years
Scott Skinner lived a full life with gusto, humor and warmth. Despite losing his father at age 5 and his mother at age 16, he led with a positive attitude and an expectation that there were always good times ahead with family and friends. Childhood started in Greenville, NC and Virginia Beach, followed by St. Louis and New York City. His father and other family members worked in the tobacco industry and for the summer of 1945, he worked at Douglas Tobacco Co. in Douglas, GA. While finishing high school at Tucson’s Southern Arizona School for Boys in 1945-46, he became friends with a teacher, Peter B. Skalkos, who would later introduce Scott to his niece Anastasia (Anne) Carlos – Scott’s future wife of almost 50 years.
They met at Thanksgiving in Heidelberg, Germany while she was studying abroad and he was doing a stint in the Army Office of Secret Service (OSS - the future CIA). He had begun college at the University of NC, Chapel Hill (like so many of his NC clan), but lacking direction, he joined the Army OSS in 1952 and his lifetime love of foreign travel began. He returned to UNC in 1955 and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He loved writing and the Carolina Quarterly published one of his stories. Scott and Anne married in her hometown of Toledo, OH on a very hot July 14, 1957.
Career at American Airlines
Scott began his career at American Airlines (AA) in 1956. Work took him and Anne to Chicago, San Diego and Washington, DC where they bought their first home in Springfield, VA and soon welcomed Charles (1959) and Katherine (1963). AA brought Scott to NYC in 1966, and the family settled in Darien, CT until 1977 when they moved to Avon, CT. Upon retirement, Scott and Anne settled in Escondido, CA. Scott moved to Huntington Beach, CA in 2009 to be closer to Katherine and grandson, Blake. He always loved time at a beach!
Scott truly found his professional home in the Reservations Department at American Airlines where he built a career he loved and formed friendships that lasted a lifetime. While his work was deeply rewarding, his coworkers made the greatest impact. Scott met two of his dearest friends during his years at AA. Ginny Wolf-Bradley began as Scott's boss but she and her husband, Mike, became valued friends. After his retirement, they kept Scott company from afar with many cards and surprise gifts to delight him. Volodya Korolev initially reported to Scott in the Reservations Department but became fast friends with Anne and Scott. Their friendship extended far beyond the workplace and included memorable travels together to Hong Kong and New Zealand. Volodya's homes in Hawaii became annual respites from the cold Connecticut winters, giving their family treasured time with dear friends in a place they loved.
Travel & Dining
During his career, working at AA came with the perk of free or dirt-cheap airline tickets on AA and many other airlines. One time while working in DC, Scott and his boss called their wives to advise they were flying to San Francisco to have lunch! Family vacations in the Caribbean, AZ and Hawaii, as well as trips to visit family in various states were the norm. The family was very close with Anne’s brother Tony, his wife Nancy and their boys Ted and Todd. Scott and Anne traveled to Europe many times including several cruises. Travel dovetailed nicely with another love – great food! Dining (never “eating”) also meant conversation, laughs, reminiscences and keeping the bonds of family and friends strong.
Music & Entertainment
Scott loved a very broad range of music including classical, jazz, Broadway, rock, disco and movie soundtracks. He attended many concerts and shows. Sondheim’s musicals and Sardi’s restaurant in Times Square were favorites. The Neil Diamond concert in Los Angeles in 2017 with Charlie and Katherine was one especially wonderful time.
Scott is predeceased by his wife, Anastasia (2007) and half-brothers Charles (Dusty), James (Stick), and Louis (Pig). He is survived by his son Charlie, with daughter in-law Meg, daughter Katherine and grandchildren Jack, Zoe and Blake. He is joining Anne at San Marcos Cemetery in Escondido. A memorial is being planned.
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