Larry Hugh Skiles

Larry Hugh Skiles of Cisco passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at the age of 81.

Larry was born November 23, 1944 in Sherman, Texas to Ulrick and Zelma Edith Samples Skiles. He grew up in Munday, Texas and completed eighth grade before quitting school to work and help his family.  He particularly enjoyed working as a flagger for a crop-dusting company as a teenager, as well as working for his brothers at their ESSO service station in Knox City. He later went to work for Automation Industries and began a career as a machinist that spanned approximately 45 years, working through the changeover to Rockwell International, General Dynamics and Lockheed.  He was proud of his work as lead man on the F-16 project. When Lockheed closed, he later worked for several machine companies in the Metroplex.

It was in Abilene in 1995 that he met Amy Noelle Babb, the woman who would become his soulmate and wife. They met at the Steak and Egg Kitchen, where they became coffee and breakfast buddies, which eventually led to best friends and a loving partnership of 30 years. They married in 2000, and celebrated 26 years of marriage on February 14 of this year.

Larry enjoyed playing softball, especially tournaments with his favorite team, B&B Ditching. He loved dancing, especially with his dear friend Brenda, and taught his wife to dance when they were dating. Larry enjoyed playing golf, fishing and playing pool with his family. He was smart and mechanically inclined, so he enjoyed working on cars and fixing things. He also liked working in his yard and was very particular about how the mowing and weed-eating were done. Although it was difficult to get away in later years, he loved road trips with his wife.

He loved his grandchildren. He was great with babies and little ones and enjoyed fishing and outings with them as they grew up. He loved his dogs, and later in life became a caretaker and protector of many cats and critters in need.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Ronald Skiles, Harold Skiles, Willard and Weldon Skiles and Joyce Harmon; daughter Shelley McKnight; sisters-in-law Betty Skiles, Estelle Skiles, and Shirley Skiles; brother-in-law Ron Freiman; and mother-in-law Donna Babb. He was also preceded in death by the mother of his children, Sharon Paige.

Survivors include his wife, Amy Noelle Skiles of Cisco; children Tyle Meinzer and wife Gina of Haskell, Donny Skiles and wife Teresa of Benbrook and Todd Skiles of Abilene; sister Peggy Flores of Cisco, twin sister Linda Freiman of Baird and brother Jimmy Skiles and wife Judy of Potosi; father-in-law Erwin Babb of Italy, Texas; brothers-in-law Eric Babb of Las Vegas, Nevada, Daniel Babb of Cedar Hill and David Babb of Plano; sister-in-law Carolyn Skiles; 18 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and many friends.

Visitation will be 12:00 to 2:00 PM Sunday, March 29, 2026, at Kimbrough-Jacobs Funeral Home, 300 W 9th Street in Cisco.  Funeral services will follow at 2:00 PM in the Kimbrough-Jacobs Chapel, with Pastor Brian Kelley of Serve Church officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Scotty Skiles, Kevin Skiles, Dustin Hoffman, Justin Harrison, Richard Harrison and Timmy Skiles.

The family suggests memorials to the charity or animal shelter of your choice.

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