Leonard Skinner, Lynyrd Skynyrd namesake, dies at 77 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 09-20-2010, 01:52 PM

Leonard Skinner, the no-nonsense basketball coach and gym teacher whose name is forever linked with Jacksonville's legendary Lynyrd Skynyrd, died in his sleep early Monday morning. He was 77.

His son, also named Leonard Skinner, said his father had a bowl of ice cream just past midnight — he loved ice cream — and then was found dead around 2:30 a.m. He had been a resident of St. Catherine Laboure Manor, a nursing home in Riverside, for about a year, his son said. He had Alzheimer's disease.

Mr. Skinner never asked to become part of rock 'n roll lore. He was just a by-the-book gym teacher at Robert E. Lee High School who, in the late 1960s, sent some students to the principal's office because their hair was too long, touching their collars in the back.

Those students turned out to be members of a rock band that named themselves Lynyrd Skynyrd in a smart-aleck tribute to the coach.

During an interview in January 2009, Mr. Skinner said he was just following the rules; it always bothered him that the story grew to say he was tough on them, or that he'd kicked them out of school.

"It was against the school rules. I don't particularly like long hair on men, but again, it wasn't my rule," he said.

Mr. Skinner said that, even when the band got big, he didn't recall the long-haired students. Years later, though, he made friends with some members of Lynyrd Skynyrd who came to jam at The Still, a bar the ex-coach opened on San Juan Avenue. Lynyrd Skynyrd also asked him to introduce them at a concert in Jacksonville.

He allowed the band to use a photo of his Leonard Skinner Realty sign for the inside of their third album. For years, fans would call the phone number on the sign to reach the real Leonard Skinner.

Mr. Skinner's son said his father, while never completely comfortable with being linked to the band, did grow to embrace it.

"I think he kind of ate it up," he said. "He didn't like it at first, he had mixed emotions later, but I think he kind of liked it eventually."

The family is hoping to have a funeral for family and friends on Friday, Mr. Skinner's son said.

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2...sake-dies-77-0

Marvo301 · 09-20-2010, 02:10 PM

Leonard Skinner

catlover79 · 09-21-2010, 12:25 AM

MickeyMac · 09-21-2010, 11:18 AM

He is now reunited with most of the members of the band.

MrCleveland · 09-21-2010, 02:52 PM

Leonard Skinner is now a Freebird, and that bird can't be changed....

09-20-2010, 01:52 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,349	Leonard Skinner, Lynyrd Skynyrd namesake, dies at 77 Leonard Skinner, the no-nonsense basketball coach and gym teacher whose name is forever linked with Jacksonville's legendary Lynyrd Skynyrd, died in his sleep early Monday morning. He was 77. His son, also named Leonard Skinner, said his father had a bowl of ice cream just past midnight — he loved ice cream — and then was found dead around 2:30 a.m. He had been a resident of St. Catherine Laboure Manor, a nursing home in Riverside, for about a year, his son said. He had Alzheimer's disease. Mr. Skinner never asked to become part of rock 'n roll lore. He was just a by-the-book gym teacher at Robert E. Lee High School who, in the late 1960s, sent some students to the principal's office because their hair was too long, touching their collars in the back. Those students turned out to be members of a rock band that named themselves Lynyrd Skynyrd in a smart-aleck tribute to the coach. During an interview in January 2009, Mr. Skinner said he was just following the rules; it always bothered him that the story grew to say he was tough on them, or that he'd kicked them out of school. "It was against the school rules. I don't particularly like long hair on men, but again, it wasn't my rule," he said. Mr. Skinner said that, even when the band got big, he didn't recall the long-haired students. Years later, though, he made friends with some members of Lynyrd Skynyrd who came to jam at The Still, a bar the ex-coach opened on San Juan Avenue. Lynyrd Skynyrd also asked him to introduce them at a concert in Jacksonville. He allowed the band to use a photo of his Leonard Skinner Realty sign for the inside of their third album. For years, fans would call the phone number on the sign to reach the real Leonard Skinner. Mr. Skinner's son said his father, while never completely comfortable with being linked to the band, did grow to embrace it. "I think he kind of ate it up," he said. "He didn't like it at first, he had mixed emotions later, but I think he kind of liked it eventually." The family is hoping to have a funeral for family and friends on Friday, Mr. Skinner's son said. http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2...sake-dies-77-0
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09-20-2010, 02:10 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,452	Leonard Skinner
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

09-21-2010, 12:25 AM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376
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09-21-2010, 02:52 PM	#5
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,222	Leonard Skinner is now a Freebird, and that bird can't be changed....
	__________________ Thank God for kids that love Obscure Things. Lee Hazlewood (1929-2007) You ARE Special to God! Rev. Ernest Angely (August 1921-May 2021)

09-21-2010, 11:18 AM	#4
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,004	He is now reunited with most of the members of the band.