Wayne Arthur Skinner passed away peacefully at his home in Dingle, Idaho, on July 21, 2026, just two days before his 82nd birthday.

He spent his final morning the same way he had spent so much of his life—making sure his animals were cared for, his property was in order, and everything around him was just the way he liked it. When his work was finished, he walked inside, settled into his favorite recliner with his faithful dog, Roo, lying beside him, and quietly passed away.

He lived life on his own terms until the very end.

For the last couple of months, Wayne often told those closest to him that he didn’t think he would make it to his next birthday. Somehow, he seemed to know. Even so, he never stopped living. He continued caring for his cattle, looking after his place, and doing the work he loved. His life wasn’t defined by the day he died—it was defined by the way he lived every day before it.

Wayne was born on July 23, 1944, to Clifford and Golda Skinner. He grew up in a family of twelve children, where hard work, loyalty, and taking care of one another were simply part of everyday life. Those values stayed with him throughout his life.

He graduated from Bear Lake High School and spent nearly his entire life in the Bear Lake Valley. Dingle wasn’t just where he lived—it was home. He loved its people, its history, its mountains, and its way of life.

Wayne and Judy Skinner raised four children together—Michelle, Jeff, James, and Melissa. They taught their children the importance of hard work, honesty, and responsibility. Wayne wasn’t a man who gave long speeches, but he had a way of saying exactly what needed to be said. His family still hears his words today:

“Use your best judgment.”

“You’ll do the right thing.”

“You can only sit on the fence so long before you’ve got to decide which side you’re on.”

Those simple words became lifelong lessons.

Years later, life unexpectedly brought Wayne and Donna back together. Donna attended Wayne’s 40-year high school reunion with friends, never expecting he would be there. When she looked across the room, she saw him. After a little encouragement from a friend, she walked over. They didn’t say a word. They simply embraced. That unexpected reunion rekindled a friendship that grew into a beautiful marriage. Wayne and Donna were married in 2003 and spent the next twenty-three years building a wonderful life together in Dingle.

Wayne was a cowboy through and through.

Not because of the hat he wore or the horses he rode, but because of the way he carried himself.

He was tough without being intimidating, confident without being arrogant, and calm in almost every situation. He was comfortable in his own boots. He didn’t need recognition or attention. He simply worked hard, kept his word, and treated people with respect.

He loved horses and seemed to have a special connection with them. Whether he was riding, working cattle, or simply spending time around them, they were a lifelong passion.

Wayne also had a remarkably beautiful singing voice. Though he never sought the spotlight, those who knew him often invited him to sing at community gatherings and special occasions. His voice was warm, rich, and unmistakably his. It was another of the many gifts he shared quietly with those around him.

His children remember not only days spent hunting, fishing, horseback riding, camping, and swathing hay, but also the countless hours spent working alongside Dad. Whether it was feeding cows, working at his father’s dairy, cutting firewood in the mountains, or doing chores around the house and on the small farm, those weren’t just jobs—they were opportunities to be together. Looking back, they realize those weren’t just good memories—they were life lessons taught without ever feeling like lessons.

His grandchildren remember adventures with Grandpa. They remember riding horses, four-wheeling through the hills around Dingle, hunting, fishing, and trips to Bear Lake, where Grandpa buried “pirate treasure” and told stories that made ordinary days feel like great adventures. More than anything, they remember that Grandpa always had time for them.

Wayne loved his community.

Nearly every day after feeding his cows, his brother Rex would stop by, and the two of them would spend time talking before driving around Dingle, checking on neighbors and seeing how things were going around town. Rex affectionately called Wayne the “self-appointed mayor of Dingle.” Wayne believed people should take pride in where they lived, and he quietly did his part to help keep his little town looking its best.

Those who knew Wayne will remember his quiet confidence, his steady nature, his dry sense of humor, and the way he could make people feel at ease. He whistled and hummed while he worked. He listened more than he talked. He wasn’t interested in drawing attention to himself. He simply believed in doing what was right and doing it well.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Golda Skinner; his brothers Kent, Johnny, and Kirk Skinner; Judy Skinner, the mother of his children; his granddaughter Hollie; his grandson Brandon; and other beloved family members.

He is survived by his loving wife, Donna; his children Michelle, Jeff (Lisa), James (Jamie), and Melissa (Travis); his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, eight brothers and sisters, and many nieces, nephews, dear friends, and neighbors.

Wayne’s life wasn’t measured by awards, titles, or public recognition.

It was measured by the respect he earned, the family he loved, the friendships he built, and the example he set.

He was a good husband.

He was a good father.

He was a good grandpa.

He was a good brother.

He was a good neighbor.

He was a proud cowboy.

He was Wayne.

If Wayne were writing the final line himself, it probably wouldn’t be long.

It would probably sound just like him.

“See ya in the spring.”

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Celebration of Life

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Wayne’s life on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at The Forty-Four, located at 193 W. Center Street, Dingle, Idaho 83233.

All who knew and loved Wayne are welcome to attend as family and friends gather to share stories, memories, and celebrate a life well lived.