Otis Sanford "Skip" Skipper <A HREF="http://www.legacy.com/charlotte/LegacySubPage2.asp?Page=GuestBook&PersonID=369438">View/Sign Guest Book</A> Mr. Otis Sanford "Skip" Skipper, 84, of Mint Hill, NC, passed away Friday, June 14, 2002, at Presbyterian Hospital. Otis was a native Charlottean, born July 19, 1917, on Cedar Street to the late Florence Hunsucker Skipper and William Sanford Skipper. He was employed by Southern Bell for 45 years, retiring in 1982 as District Forecast Manager of the Winston-Salem (NC) District. He was a proud product of Third Ward Elementary, Alexander Junior High and Central High Schools. Early in life, Otis developed a love of sports, starting with competitions on the playgrounds, which were the center of activity for children. He excelled as a swimmer, basketball player, handball player and golfer. While Skip was a student at Alexander Junior High, the Charlotte News frequently referred to him as "that redheaded Skipper boy." Later at Central, he played for the legendary Coach Bob Allen and from then on was one of "Bob Allen's boys." In 1948, he received the trophy as best local player. In 1935, he played in the first interracial basketball game at Johnson C. Smith University. Under the tutelage of Mr. Carl Link, Director of the YMCA, he became a championship swimmer, Mr. Link's assistant and taught many young men in Charlotte to swim. A dear friend, Eddie Sloan, introduced him to handball and Otis was successful in winning championships in Charlotte, Columbia, Charleston, and Knoxville. He served as Handball Commissoner for 20 years. When he was transferred to Winston-Salem he became a great supporter for Wake Forest University. He served as the Sportsman's Club and one the Groves Stadium Building Committee. Former Wake Forest President James Ralph Scales said of him on many occasions that he was Wake Forest's greatest cheerleader. He also served on the Winston-Salem Convention Center and Coliseum Committee and was Sports Chairman for the Chaber of Commerce, promoting numerous activities. He was President of the Twin City Sertoma Club, where he aggressively promoted "Service to Mankind", putting on golfing events to raise money for mentally retarded children. His love for golf led him to Tanglewood where he served as President of the Tanglewood Golf Association. He won a number of golf tournaments, participated for over 30 years in the Surf Invitational and had four holes in one in his career. Otis was not reluctant to state his opinion. The late Bob Quincy, Sports Editor for the Charlotte News referred to him as a before, after and during dinner speaker. He strongly believed in helping those who cannot help themselves. He will be greatly missed as a source of information on sports and politics and frequently stated his opinion in the Charlotte Observer's "Letters to the Editor." He is a member of Blair Road United Methodist Church, the Navaho Club and Pine Lake Country Club. He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline; daughters, Joy Cornwell and husband, Bill of Charleston, SC and Joan Jones of Morehead City, NC; grandsons, David Sanford Jones and his wife, Ashley, of Morehead City and Matthew Christian Jones and his wife, Kelly, of Fruitland, MD; granddaughter, Rhett Rich and her husband, Michael, of Orlando, FL; and great-grandchildren, William Emory and Margaret Rich, both of Orlando. He is also survived by his step-daughter, Deborah Lutz and her husband, Eddie, of Charlotte and his step-grandsons, Christopher and Jonathan Lutz. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Ruby Gaddy Rea. Services will be held 2 p.m. Monday, June 17, in the Wilson Chapel of Hankins & Whittington Funeral Service, 5301 Albemarle Road. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn West Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, Suite 300, 500 East Morehead Street, Charlotte, NC 28202. The Wilson Chapel of Hankins & Whittington Funeral Service is serving Mr. Skipper's Family. Published in the Charlotte Observer on 6/16/2002.