In Memoriam
John “Skellie” Morris
October 10, 1953 – August 13, 2023
John Skellie Morris died at his home in Leesburg, FL, on Sunday, August 13, 2023. He was 69. A fourth-generation Floridian, Skellie was a beloved teacher and coach in Lake County schools. A graduate of the Class of 1971 at Leesburg High School, where he served as student body president, Skellie was a member of the LHS Yellow Jackets football team that went to the state finals in 1970 and was named to the all-state team as a linebacker. He played football at Maryville College in Tennessee, where he graduated with a degree in political science.
During a 40-year career in education, Skellie taught at Mt. Dora, Eustis and Tavares high schools and coached a variety of sports, including football, baseball, golf and softball. He was one of the founding directors of Kids’ College, sponsored by Lake Sumter Community College, and spent more than 20 years working in its summer enrichment programs.
Upon retiring, Skellie devoted himself to volunteer work throughout Lake County, offering his services to numerous organizations, including the Leesburg Historical Museum and the Leesburg Partnership. He spent many years as a volunteer during Leesburg Bike Week and also gave tours of the historic Mote-Morris House, which was owned by his family for nearly 80 years and where he lived growing up. In 2021, Skellie was named “Volunteer of the Year” by the Lake County Chamber of Commerce.
Skellie was a devoted fan of the Florida Gators and a longtime football season ticket holder. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting. In recent years, he created a popular food blog — “Skellie Eats Everything” — that spotlighted independent restaurants throughout Lake County.
Pre-deceased by his parents, R.J. and Georgiana Morris, of Leesburg, Skellie is survived by two brothers – Bob Morris (Debbie), of Winter Park, FL; and Danny Morris (Nancy), of Yalaha, FL – and a sister, Carol Ann Smith (Pen), of Pittman, FL, along with six nieces and nephews, and seven grandnieces and grandnephews.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on September 17, 2023, at St. James Episcopal Church in Leesburg, followed by a celebration of Skellie’s life at the Leesburg Boat Club. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made to the Education Foundation of Lake County (www.edfoundationlake.com) or English Springer Spaniel Rescue of America (www.springerrescue.org).
Jack Jones
January 31, 1929 – May 25, 2023
Jack Radford Jones, DOB 1/31/29, was born in Tampa, Florida to Berry Smith and Mary Whitehead Jones. After graduating from Hillsborough High School, he attended Florida State University and graduated from the University of Florida School of Architecture in 1954 with High Honors.
After serving 3 years in the United States Navy, he moved to Leesburg, Florida In 1957 going to work at, and eventually becoming part owner of, Miller Construction Company until 1961, when he left Miller and opened his Architectural firm In Leesburg, Jack R Jones, Architect Inc.
His architectural practice over the next 50 years included many residential, commercial, governmental, educational and church buildings all over the state of Florida. Among his projects in Lake County are the round Lake County Courthouse, The Lake Sumter Community College Fine Arts Center, the Sprint Telephone Building, First Presbyterian Church, old Sun Bank Building, First Federal Savings Bank (now BB&T), Citizen’s Bank Building (now closed), Center State Bank, Palm Plaza Shopping Center, and the old Leesburg Kindergarten building in Venetian Gardens with its unique hyperbolic paraboloid roof.
He was past president of the Leesburg Rotary Club, Leesburg Chamber of Commerce, and the Mid Florida Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. He has been Chairman of the Leesburg Planning and Zoning Board, Vice President of the Central Florida Episcopal Diocese and Junior and Senior Warden of St. James Episcopal Church of Leesburg.
In 1980, Jack closed his architectural office and for eight years he and his late wife, June Johns Jones, cruised the Caribbean in their 41-foot sailboat, Sansi. For 3 years during this time, they operated a charter boat service out of St. Thomas USVI. In 1988 they returned to Leesburg and reopened the architectural office which continued until his retirement in 2013.
Jack is survived by his wife of 24 years, Patricia Carol Jones; brother, Roger Lewis Jones (Janet); children, Cathye Jones Bouis, Cheryl Jones Evans, Robin Scott Jones (Polly), Adrianne Jones Scott (Larry), step son Perry Petek (Linda); the Bell family; 6 grandchildren, 2 step grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Joe Armater III
June 26, 1952 – April 20, 2023
Joe was born in 1952 in Kingston, NY and raised in Hurley, NY until Middle School. His family moved to Pompano Beach, Florida where he went to Pompano Beach Senior High School. While in school he was on the varsity swim and tennis teams and graduated in 1970.
Joe lived for several years in Mankato, MN and while there, He also became a father to his eldest daughter, Andrea Armater in 1981. and earned his Architectural Drafting Degree from South Central Technical College in 1983. He also spent many years in Des Moines, IA. working in the construction field. There, he again became a father to his youngest daughter, Sydney Armater in 1991. His most recent employment was with the Loudoun Museum in Leesburg, FL.
Longing to go back to a life on the coast, he moved to Myrtle Beach, SC. where his love for the beach allowed him to enjoy many things such as ocean fishing, shark tooth hunting, as well as searching for rocks and fossils. Joe later moved from SC to Florida to live out his retirement years.
He was known for his love of reading and Stephen King was always a ‘go to’ for him. He loved the music of Tom Petty, Johnny Cash, The Rolling Stones and all the 70’s rock music. Though Joe only lived in Mankato MN for a little over five years, he brought his love for the MN Vikings with him wherever he lived. During football season, one could expect Joe’s profile pic on facebook to be of him dressed in full primitive Vikings attire. Joe connected daily with friends (new and old) on facebook, and loved to change his profile pic often, depending on his mood for the day or week, many times sporting a classic hat and shades.
Joe survived a bout with lung cancer in 2010. However, Joe lost his most recent battle with his health this past April. Those who loved him, laughed with him, partied with him, talked with him, messaged with him, will miss this man who loved life, the beach, his friends and his family.
Joe is preceded in death by: his parents, Joseph Francis Armater Jr. and Suzanne Armater (nee Bienvenue) and his sister Lise Morrison.
Joe is survived by his daughters, Andrea Armater, of Mapleton, MN, Sydney Armater of Des Moines, IA. Grandchildren: Brooklyn Armater (Mankato, MN) Chad Shull (Mapleton, MN) Ella Armater (Des Moines, IA) Great Grandchildren: Miles and Nyomi Johnson (Mankato, MN).
A memorial service will be held at Daly Park in Mapleton, MN on Saturday, June 24th from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.