Leonard Skinner Dies At 77
By Reema, Gaea News NetworkTuesday, September 21, 2010
JACKSONVILLE (GaeaTimes.com)- Leonard Skinner, the legendary gym teacher and basketball coach of Robert E. Lee High School who worked as an inspiration for rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd breathed his last on Monday. The basketball coach who became popular due to his association with the band was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease for some time now and on Monday he died during his sleep. The news of the death of Leonard Skinner was confirmed to media sources by his daughter, Susie Moore who also revealed the manner of death. The basketball coach was living at Jacksonville’s St. Catherine Laboure Manor for about a year now. Leonard Skinner was 77.
Leonard Skinner became famous after the Southern band Lynyrd Skynyrd revealed the secret behind its band name. It was their school basketball teacher, who had once sent them to the principal’s room for donning long hair, that had inspired them to form the band. Lynyrd Skynyrd went on to become one of the leading bands of mid-1970s with hits like “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird”. Although three of its band members died in a 1977 plane crash, the band continues to perform till date. Leonard Skinner who found the association long after the formation of the band was reportedly uncomfortable initially about the link. However, in later days, he made friends with many of the band members. Lynyrd Skynyrd band also performed at a Jacksonville bar owned by the former basketball coach.
On Monday, the children of Leonard Skinner held that although he was never completely comfortable with the Lynyrd Skynyrd link, the deceased basketball coach during his lifetime made many new friends due to it. Susie Moore mentioned that many Lynyrd Skynyrd fans wanted to meet her father and have eventually become friends with him. “They loved him, They’re part of our extended family now” Susie Moore added.
