Benjamin Elliott More Skerrett, IV

March 14, 1943 - Apr 15, 2009

LAFAYETTE - Benjamin Elliott Moore Skerrett IV (age 66) died on Friday, April 17, 2009 after a long illness. Ben, affectionately called "Buddy", by his family and some friends, was retired honorably from the Navy in 1993 and has lived in Lafayette, his home town, since that time. He leaves four daughters and one son, Donna Angelle and her husband, Corey, Melissa Martin and her husband, Michael, Angela Lege' and her husband, Caleb, Stephanie Maxwell and her husband, Sam and Stephan Bigelow and his wife, Tabitha. He has ten grandchildren, and four step-grandchildren. He also leaves his mother, Mrs. B.E.M. Skerrett III (Marian), and two sisters, Carol Ann Holloway and her husband, Douglas, Jean Fouts and her husband, Lonnie and a brother, Shelton Skerrett. He will also be missed by his loyal little dog "Patches" and faithful friend Maggie Cordo. Ben was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Cindy Lemon Skerrett, and father, Benjamin Elliott Moore Skerrett III. While in the Navy, Ben was an air traffic controller and served his country in the Vietnam War at several posts, as well as on the aircraft carrier, "America". He was honored by the United States Navy Blue Angels Wing, and saved at least two planes from disaster by talking them in during emergencies. Ben was a hard worker, usually finding supplementary work when on leave and at some stations of duty. In the Phillippines he drove a taxi, he managed a washeteria in Corpus Christi, and worked with a small airline in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, and others. Following his retirement he formed a small company (Cajun Magic) for printing t-shirts and making honorary plaques. He also worked as a clerk in the oilfield. Ben was faithful to his family, God and nation and donated his body to science. A Memorial Service will be held at Grace Presbyterian Church on Sunday, April 19, 2009 at 2:30 PM. Reverend John Wamsley will officiate the memorial service.