Westland Class of
1976
Web Page Album
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Westland Class of
1976 |
Wed Jul 13 2016 000:42:37 AM
Web Page for
Barry Lee Skaggs
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I began classes at OSU about two weeks after graduating from Westland. During that summer, in
addition to starting college, I learned how to play a brass instrument because the following
Fall I planned to try out for the all-brass Ohio State University Marching Band. During tryouts in early September, I was fortunate to win the final spot for my instrument and went on to be in the band for five years. This afforded opportunities to travel and have experiences I likely never would have dreamed of otherwise. Five bowl games (Orange, Sugar, Gator, Rose, and Fiesta) and 5 games against that Team up North. I was also able to meet folks that I'll never forget - Coach Woody Hayes (several times), Coach Earle Bruce, numerous players (basketball and football), Bob Hope, Red Buttons, Evel Knievel, Billy Crystal, Pete Fountain, Governor Rhodes and President Gerald Ford and many others. I'm happy to say that my son Jonathan, who dreamed about being in The Band since he was 3 or 4, also made the OSU Marching Band as a Freshman. He played bass trombone (more on that later). I look forward to this September when I'll be able to share the field with him (now as an alum) when I return with the OSU Alumni Marching Band - about 700 geezers huffing down the field one more time. Oh yeah, in addition to my fun with music, I studied engineering and in 1981, I graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering. My first job out of school was with General Dynamics in Ft. Worth Texas. The Ft. Worth Division is now merged with Lockheed-Martin Aerospace. General Dynamics was the first of three aerospace companies I would work for - each in the stealth technology department. I attended Graduate School in Computer Science at The University of Texas at Arlington during evenings In 1985 I was recruited to Martin-Marietta (also now Lockheed-Martin) in Orlando, Florida where I also attended Graduate School at The University of Central Florida. Two years later, I was given an opportunity to return to Ohio when General Electric - Aircraft Engines recruited me to come work for them in Evendale, Ohio (just outside Cincinnati). My son Jonathan was almost a year old at the time and this was a chance to be back near family. I started my own software consulting business in 1994 and started a lengthy contract of almost 11 years at Chemical Abstract Services in Columbus. I then contracted with Chase Home Finance (Mortgage operation for JPMorgan Chase) at the Easton complex near Gahanna. Two years later, I accepted a position as an employee (rather than a contractor) with Chase in their Asset Management Department. I've been with them since. Nancy and I were married in 2002. We met at a Bible study held at New Life Church in Gahanna. She is on staff at Shepherd Church of The Nazarene. Nancy is a CPA, but several years ago earned a Master's Degree in Pastoral Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary. As part of her ministry, Nancy leads a local chapter of Celebrate Recovery, a Christ-centered recovery program that helps people who suffer from addictions to drugs, alcohol, pornography, gambling, and other ailments. You can read more about Celebrate Recovery here. She served as a state representative for Celebrate recovery until 2015. In that position, she worked with other groups around the state, getting them started and updating their training. Jonathan began attending The Columbus Academy in 5th grade and graduated during the Spring of 2005. He also started martial arts at the age of 5 and achieved a second degree black belt in a Korean art named Tang-Soo-Do (similar to Tae Kwon Do). He graduated from OSU in December of 2009 with a degree in International Security. He now works as a Information Analyst for a government agency. Jonathan and his wife, Allison have two little girls, Elliora who was born in 2013 and her little sister, Toviah, born during early 2016. They're quite precious and a true joy to play with. During all my extra spare time, I work on a Christian Novel that I've been writing since 1999. I hope to have it finished soon. Its title is "This Side of Eden's Gate". I hope I haven't bored you too much. One reason I went ahead and posted my story here was to encourage other classmates to send their stories and photos to the reunion committee so we can hear all about you and your family. God Bless! |
 OSU Marching Band - Current and Past. Jonathan plays bass trombone for OSU. I get my alto horn out once a year for the reunion game (grin). |
 OSU Marching Band Alumni Game against N. Illinois - September 9, 2006. The first time Jonathan and I share the field. |
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 Jonathan at 12 years |
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 Christmas Party |
 Christmas Party |
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 Pre-game at Ohio Stadium |
 Jonathan after winning his division |
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 I even gave it a try for a few years |
 OSU vs. UCLA Night Game |
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 Our Wedding |
 Nancy and her Maid of Honor and Niece Rachel |
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 Irion Mitchell and Jonathan with the Happy Couple |
 Irion Mitchell singing at our wedding |
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 Jonathan and my brother-in-law, Greg playing during ceremony |
 Cut the cake! |
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 The Happy Couple! |
 My cousin Ricky |
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