James Russell Skaggs

James Russell "Jim" Skaggs, age 83, of Louisville, passed away on Monday, April 30, 2018. Jim was born on October 19, 1934, Clarkson, Kentucky to the late Russell and Carrie (Higdon) Skaggs. He retired in 2012 from his construction company, Omikron Construction. He was the founder and part-owner of Spade Stables, and was a member of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church. He was a graduate of St. Bernard College in Alabama with an Associate Degree in Science and an Army Veteran. Jim was an active jogger, bowler and walker and a Kentucky Colonel. He was active member in the community who served on the board of the Chamber of Commerce and twice as its' Vice-President, chaired the 1976 Jeffersontown Gaslight Festival, three terms as city councilman of Jeffersontown and was chairman of Jeffersontown's Finance Committee for four years. A winner of the local Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Citizen Award in 1978, Jim was awarded the Mayor of Louisville's Meritorious Service Award for reconstruction work after the 1974 tornado and a 4 year member of the Kentucky Department of Energy Advisory Committee.

Jim was an active member of the Louisville Home Builder's Association, having served on their board since 1973, and has held every office in that association which includes President in 1983. He was twice winner of the Home Builder's Association of Louisville's Howard C. Reeves Award for Excellence in membership development that organization's Builder of the Year in 1986. He was an active member of the Kentucky Home Builder's Association and was Kentucky's National Representative in 1984, serving in each office and as President in 1988. Jim was a life director of the National Association of Home Builders, and was Vice-Chairman of their standing committee on membership and was serving on that committee at the time of his passing. He was currently 1 of 11 trustees for Consolidated Group Trust, the National Association's new insurance trust.

He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Carroll Skaggs and Harold Skaggs; and aunt, Dorothy Lush, who he regarded as a sister.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Joyce A. Ford Skaggs; children, James A. Skaggs, Donna Krages (Michael), Pat Skaggs and Lisa Muller (Randy); grandchildren, Craig Pennington (Sallie), Stacie Sanders (Eddie), Cortney Davis (Robert), Kelsey Simmons (Scott) and Brianna Browne; 11 great-grandchildren; sister, Elizabeth Skaggs Clemons; and a host of relatives and friends.

Visitation will be from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm Thursday, May 3, 2018 at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions, 235 Juneau Drive in Middletown, with a memorial celebration of Jim's life to follow at 5:00 pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hosparus or the Alzheimer's Association. To leave a special message for the family, please use the "Share Memories" button.