Michael Lory Skaggs

Michael Lory Skaggs, 65, of Indian Trail, North Carolina and formerly of Sanibel, Florida passed away July 15, 2019 surrounded by his family that he loved with all of his heart. He was born December 18, 1953 to Robert Lory and Hildur Basse(Figenshaw) Skaggs in Saint Louis, Missouri.

Shortly after receiving his BS in Accounting and Finance from Wheeling Jesuit University Michael moved to California where he started his career as a Nursing Home Administrator in 1983.  When his facility was purchased by Integrated Health Services his path crossed with Ruth Ann Dykstra.  They fell madly in love while whale watching and married on cold snowy day in Chicago on January 21, 1995. You could often hear them calling, “Babeeeee” to each other across a room.  They moved to Sanibel, Florida and on February 1, 1997 their heart’s leapt with joy as they welcomed their son, Jonathan Lory into this world.  Michael’s most favorite job in his entire career was being Mr. Mom for two years after Jonathan was born.

Michael loved Jesus, he loved his family, he loved working with students, he loved missions and he loved being a Nursing Home Administrator.  He was an active member of Sanibel Community Church where he was a Youth Leader and served on the Missions Team.  He had the gift of joy and of hospitality and he and Ruth Ann opened their home and hearts to their family,friends, the teens and the missionaries he loved to serve.   His camp fires were legendary. His love for missions brought him to Ecuador, Cuba, Asia and Italy on mission trips with both his family and the youth of Sanibel.  When they moved to North Carolina last year they immediately joined Mercy Church Charlotte;  God knew they would need a loving church to support them during Michael’s short but difficult journey with cancer.  In the last hours of his life he lifted up his weak voice to praise his Savior.

It was his heart and love for people that made him an extraordinary Nursing Home Administrator; he brought joy to the lives of his staff and his residents.  He loved serving on the Alvin A. Dubin Alzheimer Resource Center’s Advisory Board and the Florida Health Care Association where he served asDistrict President.  

Michael is survived by his dad and mom, his sister Barbara(Skaggs) Saunders, his brother-in-law Jim Dykstra (Marla), sister-in-law Carol Van Ostenburg (Don), his Aunt Shirley Lewis (Howard) and Uncle Bill Skaggs (Darlene) and many loved nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family will host friends for a Celebration of Life on Monday August 5 at 5 PM at Mercy Church-Charlotte, 7200 Providence Rd., Charlotte; Pastor Spence Shelton officiating. A second Celebration of Life is scheduled for Thursday August 8 at 5 PM  at Sanibel Community Church, 1740 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, Pastor Tom Walsh officiating.  Michael’s ashes will be laid to rest at the columbarium there. 

There will be a time to love on the family and enjoy a meal after each service at the respective churches.

In lieu of flowers and because of Michael’s love for missions his wish was that you would honor his memory by donating to the missions where he served.  

Leadership Resources, Michael, Ruth Ann and Jonathan went with them to Asia to love on the Pastor’s that Jonathan had prayed for when he was a young child. Leadership Resources exists to equip and encourage pastors around the world to teach God's word with God's heart. Their web site is: LeadershipResources.org; https://donate.leadershipresources.org/michael-skaggs-memorial-fund

Lourenco (Larry) Buckman at (PSS) Pastoral Support Service, Michael has been up the rivers and in the prisons of Ecuador with Larry bringing the love of Jesus.  Larry has worked for 45 years as a missionary  in South America and Africa to take the Gospel to unreached people groups of the world.

You can mail a check to P.O Box 7631, Lakeland, FL. 34807and they will send you a receipt.

Justin and Abbey Valiquette, Michael had them both in Youth Group and recently he and Ruth Ann went to Italy to love on them and their family; they are serving in Italy where less than 1% of the 60 million people have heard of the gospel of grace. They are training leaders and planting gospel centered churches. During their visit they experienced the joy of the church they planted in Salerno.  To contribute to their ministry use the following link: https://launchglobalinc.churchcenter.com/giving/to/nuova-vita-justin-and-abbey-valiquette

If you prefer to give by check, make checks payable to “Launch Global Inc” with “The Valiquette’s” in the memo line, mailed to “Launch Global Inc, P.O. Box 1269, Estero FL 33928”.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Michael Lory Skaggs, please visit our floral store.