Michael Ray Skaggs, age 47, of Marysville died unexpectedly Thursday, October 6, 2011, at his home.

He was employed with PK Controls for the past 6 years servicing the East Liberty Honda Plant and formerly was employed with Ranco for 12 years. Michael was a 1982 graduate of Fairbanks High School and was a graduate of Columbus State Community College. He was a member of the Marysville Moose Lodge #1651 and was a social member of Marysville VFW Post #3320. An ornery practical joker, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and boating and was a fan of the Cincinnati Bengals and the OSU Buckeyes. More than anything, he was a devoted and proud father who loved his children beyond measure.

He was born May 25, 1964, in Marysville to I. Ray and Mary Louise Bennett Skaggs. His father survives in Bradenton, Florida, with his fiancé, Lois Brown, and his mother preceded him in death on December 25, 2002. He was also preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Roger & Emma Bennett, and paternal grandparents, Jay & Anna Mae Skaggs.

Along with his father, survivors include his 12 year old twins, Ryan Michael Skaggs and Jacqueline Abigail Skaggs, Marysville; his fiancé, Helen Ballman, Marysville; his 2 sisters, Kay (Carl) Mickley, Columbus; and Teresa Skaggs, Marysville; his fiancé’s children, Linda Hamilton, Urbana; and Christina Ballman and her son, R.J. Asbury, of Georgetown, KY; his nieces and nephews, Alex Disbennett, and Nicholas, Lucinda, & Jaclyn Mickley, his former wife, Shelly Craig Skaggs, Marysville; his best friends, Rodney DeVore, West Jefferson, Dick Wallace and Joe Johnson, each of Marysville; and Donny Spurlock, Plain City; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Friends may call from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, October 9, 2011, at Mannasmith Funeral Home, Marysville, where the funeral service will take place on Monday at 11:00 a.m. Reverend Richard Smyers will officiate and burial will take place at Oakdale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ryan & Abbey Skaggs Education Fund in care of the funeral home.

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From Joe:  I’ll never forget, as kids, riding minibikes with cousin Mike in the fields past dark, camping out in the yard at night “reading” a stack of your father’s magazines, and burning the crap out of our fingers lighting fireworks behind the barn. Love you, man, and see you on the other side.

David’s first kite flying experience is accompanied by an excellent windy spring day. “I’m above the clouds!” Just watch out — you may lose a shoe.

Click picture to play video

Joe received a package that somehow needed a copious amount of bubble wrap packing. He couldn’t wait to bring it home and share it with David. Get on board the Pop Train. Hop hop, the poppin’ train.

Plus, it was a great tax relief to see David pop every single bubble.

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As you can see, like many of us, David enjoys singing while he plays, especially if no one is (or seems to be) watching.

Feel free to comment below what you think the song is. We’re still trying to figure it out.

Click picture to play video

We woke up this morning to the surprise of nearly a foot of the snow fallen overnight. Here’s a video capturing an initial reluctance to come out of hibernation, followed by cabin fever and the desire to finally tackle what is hopefully the last bit of snow, this season.

March 11, 2011 – The Last Snow Day? Boy, we hope so.

March 11, 2011 – The Last Snow Day? Boy, we hope so.

Take a magician, balloon animals, add cake, and then share it with a dozen of your friends. What else do you need?

– 27-Feb-2011

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Moments before impact.

Moments before impact. – 11-Dec-2010

Before the Sunday winter storm warning went into effect, weekend activities included building a snow T-rex (“My favorite dinosaur,” says David), which is currently an annual tradition, taking part in a snowball fight, and learning about finding the right jacket to “skunk.”

Photos

Here comes the snowball. – 11-Dec-2010	Snow blur. – 11-Dec-2010	Snow T-Rex. "My favorite dinosaur." – 11-Dec-2010
Snow T-Rex, profile. – 11-Dec-2010	Snowchild falls off swing. – 11-Dec-2010	Aunt Susie’s pea coat — skunked! – 11-Dec-2010

Videos

Click image to view video.

Banks Family snowball fight.

Banks Family snowball fight.

Snowman slide collision.

Snowman slide collision.

Plus, you’ll enjoy David’s new morning activity — putting on his snow boots and getting the paper. Brrr, David, please put on your jacket… David?

Paper Boy, December 2010

Paper Boy, December 2010

Thanks to friends and neighbors who managed to trudge it through the ensuing snowstorm to make out to our 2nd annual holiday open house. You were treated to an impromptu basement jam session.

Exclusive basement performance during Banks Family Holiday Open House 2010.

Exclusive basement performance during Banks Family Holiday Open House 2010.

We remember Joe’s Aunt Barbara, who passed away this past Friday evening.

Official Obituary

Barbara L. Skaggs, 73, of Marysville died Friday evening, December 3rd, 2010, at the Gables surrounded by her family. She was a former custodial employee with the Watkins School.

She was a person who enjoyed being home, quilting, knitting and sewing for herself and family. She also enjoyed her flower and vegetable gardens.

Barbara was a native of Hilliard and was born March 20, 1937, to the late Charles and Maxie Adams Massie. She was married July 10, 1954 in Liberty, Indiana to Obera J. Skaggs. He preceded her in death February 12, 2004. She was also preceded in death February 1, 2008 by her son, Carl J. Skaggs.

She is survived by her daughters, Christine L. (Jerry) McClain of Marysville, Carla A. (Joe) Reinhard of Milford Center; a daughter-in-law, Sheila J. Skaggs of Plain City; 5 grandchildren, Eric (Melissa) Skaggs, David (Mandy) Walter, Janell (Aaron) Riesen, Jimmy Walter, Jerren Burns; 3 great granddaughters; a brother, Roger (Sally) Massie of Hilliard; a sister, Margaret Pancake of Columbus; and many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be Tuesday from 6-8pm at the Ingram Funeral Home where funeral services will be held at 11am Wednesday with the Rev. Dr. Gary Campbell officiating.

Burial will follow at Watkins Cemetery with her grandchildren serving as pallbearers.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Loving Care Hospice in care of the funeral home.

– 31-Oct-2010

We’d have to say that this Halloween’s been the most exciting for David and the Banks Family. We’d already been to the Cleveland Metroparks Boo at the Zoo last week (see photos below, plus video of David getting picked for the magic show). So David was  roarin’ and ready for Sunday’s trick-or-treating. After a half hour around the block to collect candy, and an hour distributing candy at the front door, David dove into his treats voraciously. Fortunately, we didn’t have to worry about staying up late on chocolate. Listen carefully in the video for his enthusiastic chomping.

More Photos

Halloween

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Boo at the Zoo

– 24-Oct-2010

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Video

Select image to view video.

Mmm, this candy is goooood.

Magic show at “Boo at the Zoo” that David wanted to see three times in a row! Finally, he was picked as a volunteer. (Movie in two parts, due to battery.)

Finally: Since David wanted to watch the magician no less than three times in a row, let’s give the entertainer a plug. Find out more about him via his website, RW Magic, and via his Facebook page.

Breakfast time at the Banks house. David enjoys bananas and the muffins made from them. They’re good for you, and they give you a new outlook on life. Yes, that’s right — six minutes of eating two banana muffins. You must love the source material enough to enjoy this movie all the way until David walks off screen.

David eats the banana muffins he made with Mommy the day before.

David eats the banana muffins he made with Mommy the day before. – 22-May-2010

Filmed on May 22, but good any time of the year. Must’ve been a chilly morning. Check out Joe’s pajamas.