May 30, 1970 - July 12, 2023
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our youngest
brother Jake (Jason) Lee Skow.
Jake was born and raised in Okotoks and became a great painter with
his brother’s company Koala T Painting for many years. He then went on
to form his own company with a great partner, Courtney. Home Grown
Painters became well known and won many awards.
Jake had some darkness in his world which he could not overcome,
however he fought hard. Sister Wendy helped light up his day by bringing
him to her shop to assist her with her wonderful clients whom Jake
adored. Greeting them always with a coffee or offering them a hand to
their car.
Jake is survived by his father Sonny Skow, his loving children, son Noah
and daughter Sarah, along with his brother and sisters Sheryl Snider,
Wendy, Josh and Misty Shingoose, Meleita Dart, Leanne Armstrong,
and Ron Nobert along with their families, his step father Papa Gene
and Sharon. Jake will be missed deeply by a couple of very supportive
and important women in his life, long time partner in life and business,
Courtney along with her children and the mother to his children and dear
friend Cathie. He leaves behind many dear friends, including Geryl-Lynn.
Jake is predeceased by his loving mother, Shirley Grace.
As Jake’s children wrote: Our dad was a lot of things; a poet, a prankster,
a stage manager, a painter, and above all, a terrible singer (not that it ever
stopped him from belting out a few lines every once in a while, at work.)
We know those who loved him will be truly devastated by this news, but,
if we can implore you to do one thing on this most miserable of days, it is
to find a way to laugh. For despite our father’s obsession with the edgy,
and the macabre, he loved laughter above all else.
He hated days like this, miserable dates that haunt us for the rest of our
lives. So forget that July 12th is the day you lost a brother, or a lover, or
a friend, or a father. Instead go out and enjoy the fresh (if slightly smoky
air), tell each other a stupid joke, or wait around a corner and scare
the bejeezus out of the next person that walks around it. Laugh, joke,
and smile.
We lost a very strange and special man yesterday, but we also had him
for 53 years, and we wouldn’t trade a single one of them for the world.
We won’t tell you not to be a little sad, but we will beg you to also be at
least a little happy; sit back, spend time with those you love, and enjoy
your life for a moment. Because as our dad used to say even in the
darkest times, ‘you know what, sometimes life’s pretty good,’ and you
know what… He was right.
A Celebration of Life Open House will be held on August 20, 2023 from
12-3pm at Image Hair Design, 17 Elizabeth Street, Okotoks.
