Petersburg Pilot -

Leonard Charles Skeek, 86 died in Petersburg on Dec. 19, 2017.

Leonard Skeek was born to Thomas and Amy Skeek in Kake, Alaska on July 7, 1931.

He was a commercial fisherman and his name and face was recognized by many throughout Alaska and the fishing community. He had a passion for hunting, trapping, commercial and subsistence fishing, and processing traditional native foods with his friends and family. He was always willing to teach those who wanted to learn about subsistence ways and sharing the history and background on the Tlingit culture.

Leonard attended grade school in Kake, Alaska and later graduated high school at Sheldon Jackson in Sitka, Alaska. Leonard followed in his father's footsteps and had a love of the sea and commercial fishing. He was an accomplished deckhand, skipper and boat owner. At a young age, he fished by his father's side on the F/V Valhalla and with his father-in-law Chester James Sr. on the F/V Joann in Kake, Alaska.

Later he moved to Petersburg, married Lourdes and worked as a crew member on several commercial fishing vessels including the F/V Seanna with Nels Otness. Leonard owned several boats, the F/V Harder and the F/V Keku Connie where he seined for salmon and herring, and longlined for halibut and blackcod.

He loved traveling, watching Duke basketball, making his

native devil's club medicine, and was gifted in making deer calls. Leonard's memory was sharp to the end, always joking and telling stories. His smile was infectious, no matter what was going on in his life. Fishing took him away from home often but his pride and joy were his family and friends.

Leonard Skeek is preceded in death by his sisters Beverley Williams and Shirley Kawata; his brother Wilbur Skeek; his sons Leonard Skeek Jr. and Thomas Skeek, and grandson Arnold Skeek.

He is survived by his wife Lourdes Skeek; brother Reggie Skeek; daughter Joleen Wheeland; sons George Skeek Sr. (Janice), Kyle Skeek (Ann), Joselito Skeek (Winter), and Chuck Skeek; grandkids, Johnathan, Joseph, George Jr., Nicole, Jason, Joshua, Avery, Brennan, Connor, Joselito, Jayda, Jacinda, Thomas Jr., Cora Watkins, Amy Meats, Shirley, Chester James Spaedt, Tamara Guthrie and many nephews and nieces, and was Papa to many grand nephews and nieces that loved and cherished him.

A memorial service will be held at Lighthouse Assembly of God Sat., Jan. 6 at 12:00 PM with a potluck following the service.