JOHN CHARLES SKARDA, 60, of Sherwood, Ark. went to be with the Lord on Friday, July 30, 2010, in Little Rock. He was born May 28, 1950 in Chicago, Ill. to the late Charles Wesley Skarda and Maxine Riggs Skarda. John was preceded in death by his sister, Gail Lynn Alexander. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Beverly Schoemaker Skarda who he married on April 5, 1974 in Little Rock. John had two daughters who were the light of his life, Amy Patterson of North Little Rock, married to Josh Patterson, and Emily Skarda of New York, N.Y.; one granddaughter, Breanna Patterson and a precious Patterson baby due to arrive in December. He is also survived by his sisters, Diane Jackson of Birmingham, Alabama and Karla Richards of Little Rock; as well as his sister-in-law and her husband, Charlotte and Jim Quillen of Bella Vista, John was loved like a son by his mother-in-law Louise Schoemaker of Little Rock. He will be missed by his nieces and nephews Leslie Quillen, Amanda Vance, Jamie Quillen, Melissa Horne, Brett Harrelson and Bartt Harrelson. John will also be missed by Bethany Green who he loved like a daughter. At the time of his death, John was employed as a budget analyst for the Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory office in Little Rock. He was a member of Victory Missionary Baptist Church and a faithful member of the Gleaners 1 Sunday school class. John was a retired Medevac pilot in both the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard. He served our country as a member of the 374th Medical Detachment in Desert Storm and was assigned to Det. 1 149 Medical Co. in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Bosnia. He loved his country and although he didn't talk much he could carry on a conversation for hours about the military and his love for flying. John will be remembered as a quiet, giving man who was always willing to help and never had an unkind word for anyone. A celebration of John's live will be at 10 a.m,. Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010 at Victory Missionary Baptist Church in Sherwood with Bro. Robert Harris and Bro. Tom Hart officiating. Burial will follow at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetary. Visitation will be from 6–8 p.m., Monday, Aug. 2, 2010, at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills Funeral Home, 7724 Landers Rd., North Little Rock (501)835-3515. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Victory Missionary Baptist Church, 515 Sherwood Ave., Sherwood, Ark. 72120. The online obituary and memorial tribute are available at www.griffinleggettresthills.com.

Published August 2, 2010