Skeens, Barbara Jean
Barbara Jean Skeens, 58, passed away on December 14, 2007, at her home in Inglewood, Calif., in the loving care of her family. Barbara succumbed to complications of lung cancer just two months after being diagnosed with this disease.
Barbara was born on September 6, 1949, in Radford, Va., to Richard and Ada Skeens. She graduated from Radford High School and attended Radford College. Later, she graduated from El Camino College in Torrance, Calif. From 1969 to 1972, Barbara lived in Richmond, Va., and worked in quality control for RJ Reynolds Metals. She moved to Los Angeles, Calif. in 1972. There Barbara worked in quality control for Wangco before becoming involved in computer marketing and sales. After two decades of work in the computer industry, Barbara and her business partner, Liz Brannon, founded Ideal Technology, Inc. to sell computer peripherals worldwide.
Barbara loved to travel and did so often, including trips to Mexico, Hawaii, and frequently to the east coast to visit family and friends. She especially enjoyed trying new restaurants during her travels and she became an accomplished cook. She was also an avid Virginia Tech football fan and rarely missed a televised game.
Several of Barbara’s friends have been an important part of her life for many years, supporting her both throughout her life as well as during her final illness. Those special friends include Bob Martel, Dominguez Hills, Calif., Jan Walker, Mission Viejo, Calif., Dave Chapnick, Santa Monica, Calif., Pat Reynolds, Chesapeake Beach, Md., Margie Strickland, Houston, Texas, Tina Rohan, Concord, N.C., Henry Gonzales, Yuma, Ariz., Pat Clements, Redondo Beach, Calif., Kari and Dan Cullen, Torrance, Calif., Doris and Stuart Clements, Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., Janet and Michael Clements, Running Springs, Calif., and Jim Wright, Carson, Calif. Her friend, Lori Bailey, Hawthorne, Calif., provided much comfort and support to Barbara and her family during Barbara’s recent illness.
Barbara’s parents, Richard and Ada Skeens preceded her in death. Barbara is survived by her long-time companion, Gene Clements, Inglewood, Calif. Other survivors include Barbara’s daughter, Elizabeth Koontz and husband, Greg; grandchildren, Christopher, Paiyten, Brett, Cole and Hunter Koontz, all of Norman, Okla.; and grandson, Henry Koontz lives in Gastonia, S.C. Barbara’s surviving siblings are Patricia Skeens, Tampa, Fla., David Skeens and wife, Karen, Manassas, Va., Jodi Grubb and husband, Roger, of Bluffton, S.C. Her nieces and nephews, Chad Skeens, Roanoke, Va., Ashley Grubb and Jeremy Grubb, Bluffton, S.C., Felicity Metzler, Tampa, Fla., and Jake Metzler, Muncie, Ind., will miss their aunt very much.
Friends and family are invited to a celebration of Barbara’s life on Saturday, December 22, 2007. At 11 a.m. a memorial service will be held in Veteran’s Park in Redondo Beach, Calif. A reception will follow from 1 to 3 p.m. at the American Legion Post 314, 14124 South Prairie Avenue in Hawthorne, Calif. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the American Cancer Society, for Cancer Research, 2840 Electric Road, Suite 106A, Roanoke, Va. 24018, 540-774-2716 .