James Skokan
December 4, 1936 ~ July 12, 2025
Born in:
Chicago, Illinois
Resided in:
Lincoln, California
James Skokan, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on July 12, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family. He was 88 years old.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, on December 4, 1936, James was the son of John Skokan and Helen Kort, both of Czechoslovakian and German heritage. At age 12, Jim moved with his family to Hayward, California, where he lived on a small farm and helped raise chickens and cows—laying the foundation for a life of hard work, discipline, and strong family values.
James proudly served in the United States Navy, stationed in Okinawa during his two-year term beginning in 1954. He served as an Aviation Electronics Technician (twidget) and performed intelligence surveillance. Upon his return, he built a remarkable career with Pacific Bell, where he rose to the level of Vice President of Budget Operations and retired at the early age of 44. Not one to slow down, Jim went on to pursue decades of success in real estate development, property management, and loan brokerage, mentoring many along the way and always encouraging others to reach their full potential.
A man of deep Catholic faith, Jim never missed the opportunity to pray, give thanks, and offer blessings. He said grace before every meal and remained a fearless prayer warrior for others’ healing, strength, and success. His faith was not just private but lived and witnessed—quietly, humbly, and consistently. He was a holy man, a gentle leader, and a wise counselor who guided others with love, humor, strength, and unwavering conviction. His presence offered peace, and his counsel brought clarity. He was a mentor, a confidant, a facilitator of dreams, and a companion on the journey of life.
He cherished life’s simple joys—playing cards, cribbage, dancing, music, good food, deep conversation, and above all, his beloved wife, Diana, whom he affectionately called “my girlfriend” for over 70 years. They met in a game of cards, fell in love at first sight, and were inseparable ever since. She preceded him in death on February 27, 2020. Their love was steadfast, radiant, and eternal.
James is preceded in death by his parents; his sisters and brothers Marion, Jean, Rose Mary, John, Jerry, and Joe; his son-in-law, Robert Culbertson, and his grandson, Jesse Cervantes, Jr. He is survived by his faithful brother Jack Skokan (Cathy), his devoted sister Peggy Fong (Kim) and sister-in-law, Marilyn Denham.
He leaves behind the family that was his greatest joy: his children—Debbie Rossetto (David), Denise Cervantes (Jesse), Theresa Skokan, James Skokan (Becky), Cynthia Stanley (Jeffrey), Annie Culbertson (Lonnie Jacobson), and Paul Skokan (Monica); Steve and Tina Broyles; his grandchildren—Matthew Rossetto, Rachelle Hague (Jon), +Jesse Cervantes, Jr. (Brittany), Manuel Cervantes, James Skokan (Keli), Sabrina Broyles, Skye Pinsonnault, Candace Aguilera (Justin), Cameron Watson (Marcus), Chandler Stanley, Taylor Garza (Torin), Robert Bo Culbertson, Emily Skokan, Sophia Skokan, Clayton James Skokan, and Olivia Skokan; Carli Cervantes, Amber Skokan; and his cherished great-grandchildren—Harper, Jonathan James, Alfie, Zephyr, Giovanni, Audrina, Chesney, Brooks James, Brooklyn, Easton, Aris, Atlas, Troy and Thea. He is also remembered lovingly by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and treasured friends.
In his final year of life, the family was blessed with the dedicated care of three extraordinary women—Lena, Selu, and Lani—whose presence brought comfort, dignity, and warmth to each day. These accomplished and loving caregivers became a beautiful part of Jim’s daily life. He held a deep affection and sincere gratitude for them, valuing their devotion and kindness as an extension of the love he so abundantly gave and received within his own family. They honored him with reverence and respect, providing exceptional and tender support that allowed him to remain at home, surrounded by familiarity and peace.
Jim lived with courage, humor, gratitude, and an abiding love for God and neighbor. He never complained, always encouraged, and saw the best in people. To be in his presence was to feel seen, supported, and blessed. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched and the family he loved so deeply.
May his soul, reunited with his beloved Diana, rest in the peace of Christ whom he served with his whole heart.
**In lieu of flowers and to honor Jim and Diana’s memory, the family invites consideration of a donation to one of the following organizations which reflects their lifelong values.
Services
Visitation: July 28, 2025 4:30 pm
Room: Church
St. Joseph Catholic Church
43148 Mission Blvd
Fremont, CA 94539
510-656-2364
Vigil/Rosary: July 28, 2025 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Room: Church
St. Joseph Catholic Church
43148 Mission Blvd
Fremont, CA 94539
510-656-2364
Funeral Mass: July 29, 2025 10:30 am
Room: Church
St. Joseph Catholic Church
43148 Mission Blvd
Fremont, CA 94539
510-656-2364
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May you rest in peace for eternity with Mom. Thank you for being my father. Thank you for being a father to us all. Thank you for your discipline, respect, ethics, and strong love of God, no matter what hand you were dealt in your life. You and Mom are more than remarkable. You are legends and saints. I have never known two finer people in my life. I will love you and Mom forever and always.
With my greatest and deepest love, gratitude and respect,
Debbie
I think about a journey of one daughter and her father. It’s a long, beautiful, continuous day.
It’s a sleepy Sunday morning, hurried to wake up by sunshine and the deliciously spicy smell of Italian sausage sizzling on the stove and white fluffy omelets, cooked to perfection. A race to get into the shower before church; A kid-packed station wagon, an ever early, patient father and an attentive mother honoring faith and gathering in church, as a family; daughters and sons in peaceful harmony, grateful for blessings.
It’s excitingly iron-pressing white, cotton handkerchiefs, starching and starching and starching…
It’s summertime, birthdays, bicentennials, bee-stings, swimming, and daddy’s barbeque chicken
It’s tetherball and a broken bone [daddy’s]
It’s Pollack Pines, snowy sled races and flying into trees; with mittens, boots, hot chocolate and Tripoli.
It’s house plans, architectural plans, years upon years of meticulous drafting, dining room table, and a briefcase.
It’s Christmas colored lights, a perfectly sized pine tree, precious nativity, and rows and rows and rows of presents stacked and spilled into the foyer.
It’s driver’s training; laughingly accompanying me before my driver’s license test.
It’s vacation, Disneyland, Colorado, and “Look at those wonderful rock formations!”
It’s Creative Writing class in high school; corrections upon corrections and copy editing.
It’s the Father Daughter Dance at Presentation.
It’s the Prom after party; hot open-faced ham and cheese-garlic French bread loaves; and twenty of my closest friends.
It’s acting as a sleuth for your daughter’s happiness; baptismal certificates and all.
It’s the perfect wedding day, a Father-Daughter’s first dance.
It’s the joys and hardships of being Grandpa.
It’s carrying a pocket calendar; carefully penciled in are each and every oncology appointment, radiation treatment and chemotherapy appointments for your granddaughter and, finally, her remission date.
It’s heart-attacks, a quadruple by-pass, triple bypass, nose surgery, crying outside your hospital door, chelation therapy, atrial fibrillation, a shirt that reads “I was shocked back into rhythm”, fallen ankles and staph.
It’s Sinatra, music, and singing.
It’s mentorship, development, buildings and the Art of the Deal.
It’s what I most cherish about you, Daddy. The journey we’ve shared together in faith, love and understanding for one another.
It’s a long, beautiful, continuous day and each and every day; I thought about you.
We have had such great times together as one big extended family. Living with you and Auntie Di after college for a couple of years and having so much fun after work, sitting in the kitchen “hanging out” while you made dinner. Hash night, all the stuff in the refrigerator mixed together, was my favorite. With the music in the background and us laughing at funny stories. I can still hear you say “Neetski” and “Like father, like daughter” because I was so much like my dad in many ways. I would ask to see your house plans because I always loved to see the vision of something come to life. You gave me counsel when I needed it and always love, as a second dad to me in many ways. Thank you for being there when my dad passed and you and Uncle Bob walking me down the aisle on my wedding day, I couldn’t think of anyone better than my dad’s two best friends.
While we talked frequently over the past few years, our last time together was you, Chris and Auntie Di – staying over and having a great dinner and manhattans and so many laughs. Deep conversations on faith and love and just wonderful quality time with the four of us.
I know you know, you were loved and treasured by so many of us, not in your immediate family, but impacting us in different ways.
May you be basking in eternal life with all of those you have loved in life, most especially Auntie Di.
Rest in peace.
Frank Dalle-Molle
I have fond memories my brother-in-law.
We shared many a meal at the Padovani home. Great food, card games, laughter and friendship as our children grew.
Rest in peace, Jim.
He will be missed.
May you rest in peace and now is with his beloved Diana.
He is also looking down and watching over his family and friends.