Myron Jay Skousen

1952 ~ 2020

Obituary Photo for Myron Jay Skousen < >

Viewing:

May 29, 2020
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
260 E. South Temple Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
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  • Service:

    May 30, 2020
    5:00 AM
    3401 S. Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, UT
  • Directions to Service
  • Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on May 22, 2020. Myron was a true fighter to the very end, never giving up. Myron inspired all with his courage, bravery & humor. Myron was born on October 29, 1952 in Fillmore, Utah, to Don & Melba Skousen. He graduated from Granite High School where he met the love of his life, Julie Ann Francis. He also attended the University of Utah where he excelled in Physics. Myron & Julie were married in the Salt Lake Temple on September 8, 1972. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in various positions within the Church.

    Early in his career, Myron was a master woodworker, designing and building furniture, elaborate moldings, doors and cabinets. Over the years he continued to create masterpieces using wood, leather, stone, antlers and metal. He was artistic and loved working with his hands.

    Myron served his country for 41 years. Most of those years were with the Utah Army National Guard with the 163rd unit flying the OH-6 Scout which then changed to 211th Aviation Bn with Apache and Blackhawks. He was deployed 3 times, to Kuwait for ODS, to Afghanistan for OEF, and to Kuwait/Iraq for OIF. While deployed, he would write and send pictures of animals, landscapes and a few of the pranks he would play on his fellow soldiers. A natural teacher, he would use his work ethic, humor, quick wit and downright tenacity to motivate and instill hope in people. He loved and respected the men and women he served with. He was honored with many service awards including the Bronze Star during his time in the military.

    He was a curious, lifelong learner and had deep knowledge and respect for Utah and Native American history. He loved music, art and reveled in the adventure and mystery of where a windy, dusty dirt road or trail would lead. He enjoyed everything Utah’s landscape had to offer: camping, climbing, exploring, and Dutch oven cooking. He especially loved and cherished the time with his Julie, traveling and cooking together. Myron enjoyed the tradition of cutting down Christmas trees with his children and grandchildren. He was an avid fisherman and taught his grandchildren to love and appreciate the art and technique of this favorite activity.

    He is survived by his loving wife Julie, children, Carla (Gaylen) Price, Brant (Michelle) Skousen, grandchildren, Cameron, Jayden, Sydney, Sienna, and brothers, Don (Carol) Skousen and Craig (Marianne) Skousen, sister, Mary. Myron was preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Eva Lynne Keller.

    The family would like to thank the Healthcare Heroes at the VA Hospital that cared deeply for Myron.

    Myron was truly loved and will be deeply missed by all.

    A viewing will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. on Friday, May 29th, at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple. Graveside service will be held at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park on Saturday, May 30, 2020 at 11:00 am, 3401 S Highland Drive. All are allowed to attend. Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park with full military honors.


    Guestbook/Condolences

    I am deeply sorry for your loss, Julie and family. I never met Myron but you spoke so kindly and lovingly of him that I feel that I know the wonderful person that he was. I'm sure he will be missed by all those who knew him, but he will live on in your heart, Julie. You two will have eternal life together with your children and grandchildren. May the Lord bless you with strength and courage as you finish your test on this earth. May He bless you with love, peace and faith that all will be well.
    Your friend,
    Shelley Noyce


    - Shelley Noyce

    Myron was one of the first mentors I ever had and one of the most valuable things that he taught me was that just because you are working hard doesn’t mean that there isn’t enough time to have a little fun and laugh. When I think of him, I smile. He was so smart and professional and an overall amazing example for the soldiers that worked for him. I am grateful to have known him and send my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. ❤️


    - Eddy Blue

    Of all the soldiers I have served with, Myron was one of the greatest. We had many excursions in the field together. I learned a great deal of his life experiences and was able to share many of mine with him. I always knew he had my back when things got tough. Our last deployment to Kuwait allowed me to share a room at Fort Sill with him. We usually had meals together and got to comment on the quality of the rations we were served. When we served in the Scout platoon together I always wondered what Steve Farrington had planned to prank our pilots. I will not share any of these but they were always a class act. His sense of humor always brought my spirits up when things seemed dismal. He even was able to create quality clamor mines for our training the were quite realistic and a good training aid.
    I always asked him for advise in wood working that I was attempting. His abilities in this area were second to none. When we turned in our Cobra helicopter helicopters anticipating receipt of Apache helicopters we had a field exercise that he was instrumental in designing. His goal was to provide a mortar pit to attack our unit members during assault of an enemy position. He built a mortar tube and used pyrotechnics that were provided by our operations officer (Bob Brooks). HIs deployment of the mortar was quite realistic and a big surprise to those assaulting the hill. In our After Action Review (AAR) he let me know that the bottom of the tube ruptured on the last round as if it was nothing. That scared the hell out of me but to him it was great it lasted that long. I will miss him to my last breath.
    My condolences to Julie and his family for a great loss to this world. I know he is up there looking down on us thinking of a good prank next time we are with him.
    God Bless


    - Travis Heywood

    I served with Myron in the 163rd Attack Helicopter Troop and the 1/211th Aviation Battalion. He was a great leader and administrator. Myron was also an outstanding Scout Aerial Observer. We flew many missions together, in OH-6A scout helicopters, all over the western deserts and mountains of Utah and Fort Irwin, California. Myron made our flights easy, since he was always prepared.
    We discovered that we were both born in Fillmore and that he had family roots in Flowell and mine were in Meadow. One of my favorite flights with Myron was flying over these small towns and reminiscing.

    Myron always managed to put a smile on my face no matter what the circumstances were. While serving in Afghanistan, I would often go out of my way to see him because I knew he would do or say something that would cheer me up. He had a way of making everyone feel special. We all loved Myron.


    - Duane B Schmutz

    To Julie and the Skousen Family,
    for the last 16 years of Myrons military career I was the one who at the motor operations , would provide repair parts for vehicles , aircraft and communication equipment that were malfunctioning, that he would use and support. I was present on all three of his deployments.
    During our deployment away from home in Kuwait supporting "Air pirate" and the Apaches , little did we know 9-11 would send the unit to Afghanistan a couple of years later with the same aircraft. A couple of years later after Afghanistan , we would change battalions . We would deploy with the Blackhawk helicopters and "Air Ghostrider." The 120 degree desert was different than the mtn base in Afghanistan.
    I got to know him as a section leader and a first sgt. Many people join the guard or reserves to only train one time a month but when you deploy , more involvement is required. Thank you Julie for being with the family support groups. It means a lot to the soldier as he' she is deployed for that Involvement. Little did I know that a couple of years after he retired , I would also join in retirement. Thank you for sharing your dad and husband with the unit.


    - GARY DARCEY