He was born to William Sanford Skipper and Florence Mae Hunsucker. He was well known for belonging to a very athletic group of men from AG, Central High School and the YMCA during the early 1930's. These men remained lifetime friends. They included Duck Diehl, Toad McCrachen, Frank Leonard, Eddie Sloan, John Belk and Chin McCall just to name a few. These men were under the mentorship of Carl Link and Bob Allen. They were not to be surpassed.
He is buried next to his parents.
I love and miss you, Daddy.
MINT HILL - Mr. Otis Sanford Skipper, 84, passed away Friday, June 14, 2002, at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte. Otis was a native Charlottean, born July 19, 1917, on Cedar Street to the late Florence Hunsucker Skipper and William Sanford Skipper.
He was employed by Southern Bell for 45 years, retiring in 1982 as district forecast manager of the Winston-Salem District. He was a proud product of Third Ward Elementary, Alexander Junior High and Central High schools.
Early in life, Otis developed a love of sports, starting with competitions on the playgrounds, which were the center of activity for children. He excelled as a swimmer, basketball player, handball player and golfer. While Otis was a student at Alexander Junior High, the Charlotte News frequently referred to him as "that redheaded Skipper boy".
Later at Central, he played for the legendary Coach Bob Allen and from then on was one of "Bob Allen's boys". In 1948, he received the trophy as best local player. In 1935, he played in the first interracial basketball game at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte. Under the tutelage of Mr. Carl Link, the director of the YMCA, he became a championship swimmer, Mr. Link's assistant and taught many young men in Charlotte to swim. A dear friend, Eddie Sloan, introduced him to handball and Otis was successful in winning championships in Charlotte, Columbia, Charleston and Knoxville. He served as Handball Commissioner for 20 years.
When he was transferred to Winston-Salem, he became a great supporter of Wake Forest University. He served as president of the Sportsman's Club and on the Groves Stadium Building Committee. Former Wake Forest President James Ralph Scales said of him on many occasions that he was *Wake Forest's greatest cheerleader.*
He also served on the Winston-Salem Convention Center and Coliseum committees and was sports chairman for the Chamber of Commerce, promoting numerous activities. He was president of the Twin City Sertoma Club, where he promoted "Service to Mankind", putting on golfing events to raise money for mentally retarded children. His love of golf led him to Tanglewood where he served as president of Tanglewood Golf Association. He won a number of golf tournaments, participated for more than 30 years in the Surf invitational and had four holes in one in his career.
Otis was not reluctant to state his opinion. The late Bob Quincy, the sports editor for the Charlotte News, referred to him as a before-, after- and during-dinner speaker. He strongly believed in helping those who could not help themselves. He will be greatly missed as a source of information on sports and politics and frequently stated his opinion in the Charlotte Observer's "Letters to the Editor". He was a member of Blair Road United Methodist Church, the Navaho Club and Pine Lake Country Club.
He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline; daughters Joy Skipper Cornwell and husband Bill of Charleston, S.C., and Joan Skipper Jones of Morehead City; grandsons David Sanford Jones and wife Ashley of Morehead City, and Matthew Christian Jones and wife Kelly of Fruitland, Md.; granddaughter Rhett Rich and husband Michael of Orlando, Fla.; and great-grandchildren Will Rich and Maggie Rich, both of Orlando. He is also survived by his stepdaughter, Deborah Lutz and husband Eddie of Charlotte; and his stepgrandsons, Christopher and Jonathan Lutz. He was preceded in death by his sister, Ruby Gaddy Rea.
Services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, June 17, in the Wilson Chapel of Hankins & Whittington Funeral Service in Charlotte. Interment followed at Forest Lawn West Cemetery. Memorials may be made to YMCA of Greater Charlotte, Suite 300, 500 E. Morehead St., Charlotte, NC 28202.
He is buried next to his parents.
I love and miss you, Daddy.
MINT HILL - Mr. Otis Sanford Skipper, 84, passed away Friday, June 14, 2002, at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte. Otis was a native Charlottean, born July 19, 1917, on Cedar Street to the late Florence Hunsucker Skipper and William Sanford Skipper.
He was employed by Southern Bell for 45 years, retiring in 1982 as district forecast manager of the Winston-Salem District. He was a proud product of Third Ward Elementary, Alexander Junior High and Central High schools.
Early in life, Otis developed a love of sports, starting with competitions on the playgrounds, which were the center of activity for children. He excelled as a swimmer, basketball player, handball player and golfer. While Otis was a student at Alexander Junior High, the Charlotte News frequently referred to him as "that redheaded Skipper boy".
Later at Central, he played for the legendary Coach Bob Allen and from then on was one of "Bob Allen's boys". In 1948, he received the trophy as best local player. In 1935, he played in the first interracial basketball game at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte. Under the tutelage of Mr. Carl Link, the director of the YMCA, he became a championship swimmer, Mr. Link's assistant and taught many young men in Charlotte to swim. A dear friend, Eddie Sloan, introduced him to handball and Otis was successful in winning championships in Charlotte, Columbia, Charleston and Knoxville. He served as Handball Commissioner for 20 years.
When he was transferred to Winston-Salem, he became a great supporter of Wake Forest University. He served as president of the Sportsman's Club and on the Groves Stadium Building Committee. Former Wake Forest President James Ralph Scales said of him on many occasions that he was *Wake Forest's greatest cheerleader.*
He also served on the Winston-Salem Convention Center and Coliseum committees and was sports chairman for the Chamber of Commerce, promoting numerous activities. He was president of the Twin City Sertoma Club, where he promoted "Service to Mankind", putting on golfing events to raise money for mentally retarded children. His love of golf led him to Tanglewood where he served as president of Tanglewood Golf Association. He won a number of golf tournaments, participated for more than 30 years in the Surf invitational and had four holes in one in his career.
Otis was not reluctant to state his opinion. The late Bob Quincy, the sports editor for the Charlotte News, referred to him as a before-, after- and during-dinner speaker. He strongly believed in helping those who could not help themselves. He will be greatly missed as a source of information on sports and politics and frequently stated his opinion in the Charlotte Observer's "Letters to the Editor". He was a member of Blair Road United Methodist Church, the Navaho Club and Pine Lake Country Club.
He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline; daughters Joy Skipper Cornwell and husband Bill of Charleston, S.C., and Joan Skipper Jones of Morehead City; grandsons David Sanford Jones and wife Ashley of Morehead City, and Matthew Christian Jones and wife Kelly of Fruitland, Md.; granddaughter Rhett Rich and husband Michael of Orlando, Fla.; and great-grandchildren Will Rich and Maggie Rich, both of Orlando. He is also survived by his stepdaughter, Deborah Lutz and husband Eddie of Charlotte; and his stepgrandsons, Christopher and Jonathan Lutz. He was preceded in death by his sister, Ruby Gaddy Rea.
Services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, June 17, in the Wilson Chapel of Hankins & Whittington Funeral Service in Charlotte. Interment followed at Forest Lawn West Cemetery. Memorials may be made to YMCA of Greater Charlotte, Suite 300, 500 E. Morehead St., Charlotte, NC 28202.
He was born to William Sanford Skipper and Florence Mae Hunsucker. He was well known for belonging to a very athletic group of men from AG, Central High School and the YMCA during the early 1930's. These men remained lifetime friends. They included Duck Diehl, Toad McCrachen, Frank Leonard, Eddie Sloan, John Belk and Chin McCall just to name a few. These men were under the mentorship of Carl Link and Bob Allen. They were not to be surpassed.
He is buried next to his parents.
I love and miss you, Daddy.
MINT HILL - Mr. Otis Sanford Skipper, 84, passed away Friday, June 14, 2002, at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte. Otis was a native Charlottean, born July 19, 1917, on Cedar Street to the late Florence Hunsucker Skipper and William Sanford Skipper.
He was employed by Southern Bell for 45 years, retiring in 1982 as district forecast manager of the Winston-Salem District. He was a proud product of Third Ward Elementary, Alexander Junior High and Central High schools.
Early in life, Otis developed a love of sports, starting with competitions on the playgrounds, which were the center of activity for children. He excelled as a swimmer, basketball player, handball player and golfer. While Otis was a student at Alexander Junior High, the Charlotte News frequently referred to him as "that redheaded Skipper boy".
Later at Central, he played for the legendary Coach Bob Allen and from then on was one of "Bob Allen's boys". In 1948, he received the trophy as best local player. In 1935, he played in the first interracial basketball game at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte. Under the tutelage of Mr. Carl Link, the director of the YMCA, he became a championship swimmer, Mr. Link's assistant and taught many young men in Charlotte to swim. A dear friend, Eddie Sloan, introduced him to handball and Otis was successful in winning championships in Charlotte, Columbia, Charleston and Knoxville. He served as Handball Commissioner for 20 years.
When he was transferred to Winston-Salem, he became a great supporter of Wake Forest University. He served as president of the Sportsman's Club and on the Groves Stadium Building Committee. Former Wake Forest President James Ralph Scales said of him on many occasions that he was *Wake Forest's greatest cheerleader.*
He also served on the Winston-Salem Convention Center and Coliseum committees and was sports chairman for the Chamber of Commerce, promoting numerous activities. He was president of the Twin City Sertoma Club, where he promoted "Service to Mankind", putting on golfing events to raise money for mentally retarded children. His love of golf led him to Tanglewood where he served as president of Tanglewood Golf Association. He won a number of golf tournaments, participated for more than 30 years in the Surf invitational and had four holes in one in his career.
Otis was not reluctant to state his opinion. The late Bob Quincy, the sports editor for the Charlotte News, referred to him as a before-, after- and during-dinner speaker. He strongly believed in helping those who could not help themselves. He will be greatly missed as a source of information on sports and politics and frequently stated his opinion in the Charlotte Observer's "Letters to the Editor". He was a member of Blair Road United Methodist Church, the Navaho Club and Pine Lake Country Club.
He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline; daughters Joy Skipper Cornwell and husband Bill of Charleston, S.C., and Joan Skipper Jones of Morehead City; grandsons David Sanford Jones and wife Ashley of Morehead City, and Matthew Christian Jones and wife Kelly of Fruitland, Md.; granddaughter Rhett Rich and husband Michael of Orlando, Fla.; and great-grandchildren Will Rich and Maggie Rich, both of Orlando. He is also survived by his stepdaughter, Deborah Lutz and husband Eddie of Charlotte; and his stepgrandsons, Christopher and Jonathan Lutz. He was preceded in death by his sister, Ruby Gaddy Rea.
Services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, June 17, in the Wilson Chapel of Hankins & Whittington Funeral Service in Charlotte. Interment followed at Forest Lawn West Cemetery. Memorials may be made to YMCA of Greater Charlotte, Suite 300, 500 E. Morehead St., Charlotte, NC 28202.
He is buried next to his parents.
I love and miss you, Daddy.
MINT HILL - Mr. Otis Sanford Skipper, 84, passed away Friday, June 14, 2002, at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte. Otis was a native Charlottean, born July 19, 1917, on Cedar Street to the late Florence Hunsucker Skipper and William Sanford Skipper.
He was employed by Southern Bell for 45 years, retiring in 1982 as district forecast manager of the Winston-Salem District. He was a proud product of Third Ward Elementary, Alexander Junior High and Central High schools.
Early in life, Otis developed a love of sports, starting with competitions on the playgrounds, which were the center of activity for children. He excelled as a swimmer, basketball player, handball player and golfer. While Otis was a student at Alexander Junior High, the Charlotte News frequently referred to him as "that redheaded Skipper boy".
Later at Central, he played for the legendary Coach Bob Allen and from then on was one of "Bob Allen's boys". In 1948, he received the trophy as best local player. In 1935, he played in the first interracial basketball game at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte. Under the tutelage of Mr. Carl Link, the director of the YMCA, he became a championship swimmer, Mr. Link's assistant and taught many young men in Charlotte to swim. A dear friend, Eddie Sloan, introduced him to handball and Otis was successful in winning championships in Charlotte, Columbia, Charleston and Knoxville. He served as Handball Commissioner for 20 years.
When he was transferred to Winston-Salem, he became a great supporter of Wake Forest University. He served as president of the Sportsman's Club and on the Groves Stadium Building Committee. Former Wake Forest President James Ralph Scales said of him on many occasions that he was *Wake Forest's greatest cheerleader.*
He also served on the Winston-Salem Convention Center and Coliseum committees and was sports chairman for the Chamber of Commerce, promoting numerous activities. He was president of the Twin City Sertoma Club, where he promoted "Service to Mankind", putting on golfing events to raise money for mentally retarded children. His love of golf led him to Tanglewood where he served as president of Tanglewood Golf Association. He won a number of golf tournaments, participated for more than 30 years in the Surf invitational and had four holes in one in his career.
Otis was not reluctant to state his opinion. The late Bob Quincy, the sports editor for the Charlotte News, referred to him as a before-, after- and during-dinner speaker. He strongly believed in helping those who could not help themselves. He will be greatly missed as a source of information on sports and politics and frequently stated his opinion in the Charlotte Observer's "Letters to the Editor". He was a member of Blair Road United Methodist Church, the Navaho Club and Pine Lake Country Club.
He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline; daughters Joy Skipper Cornwell and husband Bill of Charleston, S.C., and Joan Skipper Jones of Morehead City; grandsons David Sanford Jones and wife Ashley of Morehead City, and Matthew Christian Jones and wife Kelly of Fruitland, Md.; granddaughter Rhett Rich and husband Michael of Orlando, Fla.; and great-grandchildren Will Rich and Maggie Rich, both of Orlando. He is also survived by his stepdaughter, Deborah Lutz and husband Eddie of Charlotte; and his stepgrandsons, Christopher and Jonathan Lutz. He was preceded in death by his sister, Ruby Gaddy Rea.
Services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, June 17, in the Wilson Chapel of Hankins & Whittington Funeral Service in Charlotte. Interment followed at Forest Lawn West Cemetery. Memorials may be made to YMCA of Greater Charlotte, Suite 300, 500 E. Morehead St., Charlotte, NC 28202.
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