John Landry Skolfield

John Skolfield ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by E.J. Fielding Funeral Home & Cremation Services on Mar. 17, 2026.John Skolfield, age 95, of Mandeville, LA passed away peacefully in his sleep while holding the hand of his beloved caregiver, Rhiannon. He was proceeded in death just last October by his beloved wife of 70 years, Helen Joyce Thibodaux Skolfield. John was also proceeded in death by his parents, William Allen Skolfield, Jr. and Hazel Leah Walters Skolfield, his two older brothers, infant William Allen Skolfield, III and Louis David Skolfield. He is survived by his three children, Leah Kay Skolfield, twins Julie Ann Bleichner (Barry), Stacy Ann Lee (Ron), and his two grandchildren, John Lee (Ariana) and Samantha Lee (fiancée Jacob). He is also survived by many cousins and friends.John was born in Norco, LA where he spent his entire youth growing up in Shell Oil Refinery's Shell Village, where his father was employed. Although he grew up during the depression and World War II, the Village was a happy, self-contained haven and it and the nearby Mississippi River levee and Bonnet Carre' spillway were ripe for his exploration and entertainment. Among other things, the Village contained 80 employee cottages, a swimming pool (where he life-guarded), a gymnasium, bowling alley, theater, baseball field and 6 hole golf course. Although comfortable, the cottages were not extravagant, and John's preferred sleeping arrangement was a bed on the front porch. John, his parents and brother David attended Mass at St. Charles Borromeo, where Father Basty was a frequent dinner guest of the family. John was always energetic and industrious and he was always looking for ways to earn a few precious cents. Among other things, John earned 5 cents a day to wake up first, bring in the paper, make coffee and bring it to his parents in bed. He ran errands for neighbors, helped many with their Victory Gardens, picking vegetables, figs and cracking pecans and tended to chickens. He recalled that the best job was tomato picking because he could bring a salt shaker and eat the best one of the day right on the spot! He seized every opportunity he could to help his neighbors and his own wallet. Also, as a child during World War II he volunteered for a program in which he helped man a tower on the river levee and report by telephone on the ground, every flying airplane spotted. He also worked as a soda jerk at the nearby pharmacy for just $1 a day but he didn't mind the low pay because the perks were so great! After finishing grammar school at St. Charles Borromeo, John was enrolled in Jesuit High School in New Orleans. Shell provided a driver who daily took the children who were enrolled at Country Day and Jesuit to and from the city, a very long drive back then. Between the commute and his studies, there was little time for extra curricular activities. John completed his education and graduated from Jesuit. He realized that, at that time, the highest paid college graduates were engineers and that was the basis for his career choice. John enrolled in LSU to study Petroleum Engineering and Military Science and was in ROTC as a means to pay for his college education. Even though his older brother David had fought in World War II and the war was recently finished, John had no qualms about the requirement to join the Army once he graduated from LSU. He continued working at various jobs all through college to help pay his way but also found time to enjoy fraternity life, becoming a member of Alpha Tau Omega. ATO hosted a party for the AOPi ladies at the fraternity house. As he states in his autobiography, it was there that he "became entranced with a female freshman wearing a bright red party dress and made a play for her. Good move! It was Helen, of course." They dated, became engaged, and enjoyed a 70 year long marriage together. John graduated before Helen and immediately reported for duty as a commissioned officer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Helen graduated from LSU in December, 1954 and they were married the following month at Our Lady of the Rosary church in New Orleans. They enjoyed a 3 day honeymoon in Bay St. Louis, MS before John had to return for duty. John served his country for two years, during which he was promoted and was then honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant. John and Helen spent his Army time at Fort Hood, TX and Camp Polk, LA. Toward the end of his service, John began submitting resumes to oil companies. He interviewed with 4, got offers from all 4, but accepted the offer from Superior Oil Company because the pay was $15 per month more than the next highest. Although Superior was eventually acquired by Mobil andlater merged with Exxon, he remained with the same entity for his entire very successful 34 year career. After joining Superior, John was transferred several times. He and Helen lived in Mt. Vernon, IL, Salem, IL, Evansville, IN, Carmi, IL, Casper, WY, Carmi, IL, Crossville, IL, Lafayette, LA and Mandeville, LA. John spent countless hours making various home improvements everywhere he lived. He spent much time after work, weekends and summer vacations with his 3 daughters, making sure that they could participate in various clubs, and take all sorts of lessons. He helped with homework and the family explored every campground, picnic or scenic area, every walking trail, park or lake and important historical site within driving distance. John cherished and loved his highly successful children and grandchildren. John and Helen had worked very hard during their careers and made many sacrifices so that they could enjoy a fulfilling retirement together and they accomplished that. Toward the end of his career, they built a home in Mandeville next door to his still living mother, Hazel so that they could look after her. John spent considerable time doing yard upkeep for both homes. Helen and John spent their time traveling throughout the country and Europe. Toward the end of his career, John was introduced to his first computer. Rather than shy away from this new contraption, he embraced it and the wonders of the internet. After retirement, he quickly bought a personal computer, set it up in his office and started documenting everything in his life. This included things like lifelong vacation write ups, medical documentation, financial documentation, lists of Christmas gifts given and received, important historical events like presidential elections, a list of "bloomers" – everything that bloomed in the yard recorded by month, etc. etc. etc. Much of this came together as first, a list of "Events In My Life" which then turned into a full length autobiography in which he detailed all of the interesting stories and people that shaped his life, from childhood through retirement. Most importantly, John became extremely interested in genealogy. With his new computer, he commenced documenting and writing booklets about not just his family line, but Helen's as well. Altogether, he had information on close to 10,000 names going back many centuries. It is easy to see that John never wasted a minute. He had no understanding of the word "boredom" because he never experienced it. He was constantly striving, doing and accomplishing. Not just that, but during his life he saved two different people from drowning in swimming pools and also on July 4, around 1972 on the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain, he rescued several people from sailboats that were being crashed into the concrete seawall by a sudden storm. This event was written up in the Times Picayune the following day. John was an inspiration to everyone who knew him. Happy to help in any way possible and happy to pick up the tab for meals, family vacations, college educations and people in line at the grocery store who found themselves without enough money at the cash register. His manners were impeccable and he loved listening to the symphony and attending the opera. John never rested, but took time to enjoy life, especially in retirement enjoying his daily Martini with Helen. He ate right and enjoyed swimming, tennis and bicycle riding. He always remained physically and mentally active. He was kind to all animals, domestic or wild, and could not have been a better husband and father, sacrificing much to insure everyone's comfort and happiness.A funeral Mass will be held for John on March 20, 2026 at St. Charles Borromeo church in Destrehan, LA where he will be laid to rest next to Helen and near his parents in the cemetery there. The church will be open for viewing at 12 Noon, followed by the Mass at 1:00 P.M. and the Rite of Committal at the crypt. A military detail will be included.The family would like to acknowledge the gentle care John received at home from Rhiannon, Judena, Caryl, Melissa, Tiffany and Wonda.E. J. Fielding Funeral Home in Covington, LA has been entrusted with final arrangements. Please sign the guestbook at https://www.ejfieldingfh.com.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.