John William “Bill” Skalko, 75, of Harvest, AL, died at 4:58 p.m. Tuesday in Huntsville Hospital from surgical complications. Bill was born in Tarentum, PA, and lived in the Pittsburgh area for 55 years, Arizona for 14 years, Tennessee for 3 years and Alabama for 3 years. He was a graduate of Tarentum High School class of ‘60 and Duquesne University School of Pharmacy in 1966. He was a licensed practicing Pharmacist in Pennsylvania, Arizona, Tennessee and Alabama.
Mr. Skalko was a member of Church of the Highlands, Huntsville Campus and was a tremendous witness for Jesus Christ. He enjoyed and loved being a devoted and generous husband, father, and Pap Pap. He was an “official Doctor” of pharmaceutical medicine for 51 years, a prayer warrior, an evangelist, a mentor for others, a master of “Dad jokes”, sports enthusiast (Steelers, Pitt, Auburn fan), animal lover, handyman, fisherman, lover of Clint Eastwood westerns, boxing, and wrestling. He was a fabulous dancer and supporter of the arts. He was a peacemaker and had no earthly enemies.
Survivors include his beloved wife of 51 years, Laurel Ann Tarby of Harvest, AL; his two daughters, Holly Ann Ludwig(Cameron) and Cally Ann Skalko; two grandchildren, Collier Ace and Carrington Lily; his brother, Edward Skalko(Judy Wakeland); niece, Andrea Korth (Tim); nephew, Brett Skalko (Kristin); and foster son, Akihiko Kawabata (Yuki) of Tokyo, Japan.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Demyanovich Skalko, his father Andrew Skalko, and brother, Andrew Robert Skalko.
Family and friends will gather at a later date for a private memorial service. Donations and contributions can be made in his name to: Church of the Highlands Main Campus, 3660 Grandview Parkway Suite #100, Birmingham, AL 35243, or
Duquesne University School of Pharmacy, 600 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15282.
