Colonel (Ret.) Thomas Craig Skanchy Passed Away in Salt Lake City

Colonel (Ret.) Thomas Craig Skanchy passed away at the Salt Lake City VA Medical Center on Friday.

Surrounded by his wife, Alice Simonsen, and his daughters, Jill and Paige, Skanchy concluded a life defined by military aviation, resilience, and a deep dedication to family. Born in Logan, Utah, on August 8, 1939, to Lula and Tony Skanchy, he spent his early years working in the family business, Skanchy’s Market, before heading to Utah State University.

During his college years, Skanchy immersed himself in campus life as an active member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and the ROTC Corps of Cadets. In 1960, he married his college sweetheart, Karen Petersen, beginning a decades-long partnership that would span numerous military relocations.

Skanchy embarked on a distinguished 28-year Air Force career as a fighter pilot, piloting the F-4 Phantom through two combat tours in Vietnam. In 1968, between those demanding deployments, he survived a severe aircraft accident. His recovery tested his limits, requiring immense grit to regain his mobility and return to the cockpit.

Colonel (Ret.) Thomas Craig Skanchy Passed Away in Salt Lake City — Photo: echovita.com

That tenacity cemented his reputation among military peers. Skanchy earned the distinction of being one of the first four pilots selected to fly the F-15 Eagle, eventually becoming the first pilot to log 1,000 flight hours in the aircraft. His service also included leadership assignments with the 405th Fighter Wing and Red Flag, alongside advanced studies at the Army War College and Georgetown University.

Following his retirement as a Colonel, Skanchy and Karen settled in Weaverville, North Carolina, in 2002, spending their time exploring the Asheville area and enjoying their grandchildren. After Karen passed away in 2014, Skanchy reconnected with childhood friend Alice Lundahl, whom he married in 2016 before moving to Salt Lake City.

echovita.com said that friends and family have shared memories and condolences on memorial pages, reflecting on the positive influence he maintained throughout his life.

Despite his extensive military accolades, Skanchy preferred a much simpler title. He wanted most to be remembered simply as “Papa” to his five grandchildren: Dylan, Justin, Duncan, Nicho, and Callan.

Family members recalled his lifelong love of history, classical music, writing, and storytelling, alongside his fondness for Labrador retrievers and unconventional chili recipes. The same unwavering determination that carried him through his 1968 plane crash sustained him through health challenges in his final year.

Skanchy is survived by his wife, Alice Simonsen, his daughters Jill Campbell (John) and Paige Cucchi (Sean), and his five grandchildren.

He will be laid to rest with military honors at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date, marking the final chapter for a career aviator and devoted family patriarch.

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