Memorials may be made in honor of Kenny to Shriners Hospitals for Children via https://www.shrinerschildrens. org/en/giving.
Kenneth D. "Kenny" Skaggs, 93, left his earthly home on February 26, 2023, never looking back as he joined his Heavenly Father and a host of family awaiting his arrival in Heaven. Kenny was born in Mountain View, Oklahoma, on September 16, 1929 to Alva U. & Mary J. (Phillips) Skaggs. He was the first of four children. As a young boy, they moved to a farm east of Lexington, OK, where Kenny grew up helping his Dad on the farm and attending Lexington Schools. This is where Kenny became close friends with “Jude ‘n’ Jody”, who also were from Lexington, OK. In 1947, he graduated from Lexington High School. In 1948, Kenny moved with his family to OKC and remained until the present, with the exception of serving in the US Navy from 1948 -1950. He served on a Navy destroyer “The Huntington.” He served as a Chief Petty Officer in both the Pacific & Atlantic oceans. After his discharge from active service, he served 5 years in the Navy Reserves. He married Marilyn Hicks in 1950, in OKC. To this union were born 3 children: Kenny Jr., Karen, and Rhonda. Raising their family in the OKC area, as a family they enjoyed summer vacationing. Some of the best memories were time they spent camping, going to the lake and traveling to all 48 continental states. After returning from the Navy, Kenny worked in the oilfield and construction. Eventually, he took a job with Wilson & Co. Meat Packers plant for 13 years, then one evening a vacuum cleaner salesman came to his door and not only sold him a vacuum cleaner, but also recruited him for part-time sales. It was not long before Kenny had won two National Sales contests and a new automobile, which would lead to Kenny being appointed to the Factory Distributor for all of Central Oklahoma. He was recognized as a National Champion for several years and was appointed a State Motor License Agent in 1958, because of all the traffic in his vacuum cleaner store. Through the years, his agency grew to be one of the largest in the state. He contracted and built his own commercial building in 1969, where he also had Kenny Skaggs Furniture & Recliner Center. Kenny came from very humble beginnings, and with hard work and dedication, he became a very successful businessman. For 63 years, he served the public as a tag agent, longer than any other agent had served. He could often be found in the lobby of the agency visiting with the customers and making sure they were taken care of, until closing the agency in November 2021, due to health complications. He loved his job and was happiest when he was at his office working. Kenny was past chairman of both the State Motor License Agents and the OKC Community Relations Commission, as well as a member of the Shriners. He's seen by many as an “icon” of South OKC. He was very active in the community, and ran for House of Representative in the 70’s. He was a member of the South OKC Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club. He was also a member of the Oklahoma Reserve Air Brigade. When Kenny’s son was young, he coached Little League Baseball and Football. Playing on a softball team himself for Exchange Baptist Church, Kenny was always very active in many community projects. In November 1979, Kenny married Norma Trombla-Smith. They were avid country music enthusiasts. He helped promote many local performers that made it to the “big show” such as Conway Twitty, Pretty Miss Norma Jean, Wanda Jackson, and a host of musicians who performed on the local television production “Jude & Jody” the Country Social. Making many trips to Nashville, they often got to sit backstage during Grand Ole Opry shows. They had the opportunity to travel extensively and got to enjoy many destinations. Kenny was a licensed private pilot. He and Norma both gave their hearts to Jesus in their younger years. After sowing a few wild oats, they realized that they needed to rededicate their lives to the Lord and serve Him. They did that by joining Southern Hills Baptist Church in 1984. They were baptized and together they devoted the rest of their lives committed to Christ. Kenny was head usher for the church for 35 years. He served in numerous other positions and on numerous committees and other ministries. He loved Southern Gospel Music, especially the Gaither’s. He never wanted to miss one of their television shows and would often call family members to talk about the music and some of his favorites. His hobbies were being with other people, planning activities for his Sunday School class, the Navigators, and planting a garden. He often shared his bounty with others. Kenny genuinely loved people and they loved him. He was quick-witted, always had a story or joke to share, was willing to help those in need in any manner possible, and his legacy of love will live on in the hearts and minds of all those whose lives he touched. He loved his family and often shared that he was proud of each one of them. He will be sorely missed by them and his many friends. Waiting for him in Heaven are his parents, wife Norma, children Kenny Skaggs Jr. and Karen Skaggs, and sister Dorothy Martin. Kenny is survived by his daughter Rhonda Snavely and her husband Chris, daughter-in-law Brenda Skaggs, stepson Chris Smith and his wife Kathy, stepdaughter Mitzi Jay and her husband Melvin, sisters Laura Reynolds and Betty Paxton and her husband Clark, grandchildren Kenny Don Skaggs III and wife Bonnie, Keith Skaggs and wife Melissa, Brooke Hukill and husband Ryan, Brianna Mock and husband Morgan, step-grandsons Jeff Smith, Matthew and Mitchell Jay, step-granddaughter Jill, sixteen great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank Beverly Ransom for her excellent help and care for Kenny, these last 15 months.