John Waylon Skeen

John Waylon Skeen passed away peacefully on March 6th in his home in Thomasville, Georgia.
John was born November 30, 1950, in Dothan, Alabama to John Quinton Skeen and Kathryn Calloway Skeen. He was the second of three children. John graduated from Dothan High School in 1969. After high school, he received a scholarship to play baseball with the Wallace Junior College Governors. After Junior College, he enlisted in the United States Air Force as a medic in the reserves. John attended three different Air Force Bases for training, which included Lackland, Sheppard, and Eglin. He served in the United States Air Force for nine years. After leaving the reserves, he was employed by Sunnyland Foods in Dothan, Alabama where he was a purchasing agent. On the weekends, John played travel ball on many popular men’s softball teams in the Southeast area such as C&M Sporting Goods, Dobbs Barbeque, Dothan Royals, Gene’s Machines, and Newmans. Around 1982, John relocated to Thomasville, Georgia and continued working for Sunnyland Food. While in Thomasville, working at Sunnyland, John met the love of his life, Angela Donalson. Once Sunnyland closed, he went to work for Thomasville Bedding then worked in the personnel business studying OSHA in 2000. He received his OSHA Certification for General Industry in 2000, received OSHA Outreach Training from Georgia Tech 2008, and studied at the University of Alabama to further his General Industry Certification in 2012. In 2010, John opened his own business, Southern Safety and Consulting. He continued to grow and expand his business up until October 2022.
John was a devoted Christian and a member of the Fellowship Church of Christ. He served on the Men’s Committee and Finance Committee at his Church. He preached once a month, as well as lead communion and prayer. His nickname was “Big John,” or to his grandchildren, “Papa Big John.” He was a proud booster of the Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets and dearly one of the biggest fans of University of Alabama sports. John was big on family, as well. He loved his wife, Angela Skeen, to whom he was married for over 39 years. He had three children to whom he was a very proud and doting father and loved very much: Heather, John Carter, and Haven. John dearly loved spending time with his family and his church and will be remembered warmly by a host of family and friends.
John was preceded in death by his parents, John Quinton Skeen and Kathryn Calloway Skeen, and also by his sister Cheryle Brackin. John is survived by his wife, Angela Donalson Skeen. Also, by his three children, Heather Hamilton (Kevin Hamilton), John Carter Skeen (Shanna Skeen) and Haven Gunter (Blake Gunter). His brother Jeff Skeen (Valerie Skeen). His grandchildren Braylen Gunter, Noah Gunter, Hayden Hamilton, Waylon Gunter and Wyatt Gunter and many nieces and nephews, whom he loved dearly.