Thomas J. Skube, 81, of Bradley, IL passed away on August 26th, 2024, surrounded by his loving family: Wife Geraldine Skube, Daughter Vikki (Lance) Richey, Son Jason (Jeanne) Skube, Granddaughter Hannah (Cassie Johnson) Richey. Tom was preceded in death by his sister, Carol Nutter, and his parents, Joseph Skube and Ruby Beaupre-Skube. Tom is survived by his wife and children, siblings Janet Haynes and Peggy Olson, his childhood best friend Jim (Jan) Doty, and many of his close Air Force mates. Tom loved his many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
In his youth, Tom was an Altar Boy at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Bradley. Tom was a Cub Scout at Den 125, Bradley, earning Cub Scout of the year. In his free time, he was a carrier for The Daily Journal, Kankakee, and won a trip to Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Tom was an avid roller skater at the Bradley Moonlight Skating Palace, and performed in a state competition in Dance Pairs and Speed Skating.
Tom made the conscious choice to join the military to serve and protect our country and volunteered at 17 to join the U.S. Air Force from 1961-1965, stationed at RAF Lakenheath, England, a Quick Reaction Alert base in a state of readiness and modus operandi for air defense maintained by NATO allies. This required USA & RAF aircrews to remain on standby 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, ready to react at a moment's notice to reach a threat within minutes, no matter the location within or just outside the UK's airspace, defending our skies seamlessly, day and night.
During his time with the 48th Fighter Wing, Tom supported the NATO war effort during the Cold War. Tom's duty section was aviation ground equipment support during the Berlin Crisis, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the assassination of President Kennedy. He also volunteered for TDY duty at Wheelus AFB Tripoli, Libya at the aviation gunnery and bombing practice range, serving for three years before being transferred to the missile squadron at Minot AFB, N.D. His duties included driving heavy equipment, supplying the needs of the missile installations by transporting military police by bus, moving heavy equipment to the missile sites, including snow cats, crawler tractors, and front-end loaders for snow removal by a semi tractor/trailer. Tom was awarded his Honorable Discharge in 1965.
Tom's passion for aviation and the USAF never wavered. After his military service, he began his career in the maintenance field working his way up to industrial maintenance mechanic while employed at Roper Co., Kankakee division. Tom obtained his Commercial Drivers License at Taylor Transfer Co., Kankakee. Tom received his Diesel Mechanic ticket when working at Rudolf Express Co. where he spent 31 years as a trucking industry "everything" mechanic, from drive trains, engines, electrical, trailer rebuilding, welder, fabricator, until his retirement. In the beginning, Tom was a bartender aka "mixologist" at various establishments throughout Kankakee, and constructed new homes. In the late 60's Tom also was a hired hand working on a 3000 acre farm, plowing and disking, being a real sodbuster. He was of the Catholic faith.
Tom was a member of The Loyal Order of Moose and The American Legion Post #766, Bradley, for 16 years, a card member of the NRA for many years, and a member of the Bradley Civil Air Patrol. Tom also performed vehicle maintenance and truck driver duties throughout the country when volunteering for The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corp, Rosemont, IL for 15 years. In the late 1960's Tom was a member of the Kankakee Stock Car Assoc. working on the upgrades of the local track with our hometown racing heroes. Tom's hobbies were anything aviation and firearms related and enjoyed visiting the gun range. Tom enjoyed early years of Grand National Racing (now NASCAR), and he loved the "Alabama Gang" drivers. Tom was an Amateur Radio Operator holding the ticket of Extra Class, call sign KX9J.
Finally, Tom loved supporting his children and granddaughter's school musical undertakings and studies. Though working many hours, he attended as many of their concerts, marching band and drum corp events as possible, racking up many highway miles to follow and video record their performances. Tom strongly believed in the benefit of music in schools.
At Tom's request, a private family viewing was held Thursday, August 29th, and cremation rites were accorded. Burial will be at Mound Grove Cemetery, Kankakee, at a future date.
Lastly, Tom was the proud author of his obituary (of course he was).
Arrangements by Schreffler Funeral Home in Kankakee.
Please sign his guestbook at www.schrefflerfuneralhomes.com.
