Chester McIntosh

Chester “Skipper” Wayne McIntosh Chester “Skipper” Wayne McIntosh was born on April 23, 1943, in San Jose, California to Mary Jane Scott and Chester McIntosh. When he was about 6 months old, his mother was sent to New York by her mother, Belle, because Jack was sick and needed care to get well. She couldn’t take a baby with her, so she entrusted Skip’s care to his great aunt and uncle, Lavinia and Jordan White whom he grew to love dearly. When he was 3 ½ his mother returned from New York with a new husband and baby brother and resumed care of him. Because his father sailed the seas in the military, he was nicknamed Skipper early on in his life. Throughout his young years, he was known as Skipper Armand. He learned in the second grade that his name was Chester. Tragically, his mother passed away at the age of 25 years old, when he was 8. For the next 5 years, he was cared for by his grandparents, Bill and Bell Scott. After Bell passed away, it was Grandpa Bill, Snooksey’s father (Juan), Skipper, Snooksey, and Ginty. When he was about 13, he learned that his last name was McIntosh, not Armand, so from then on, he went by Skipper McIntosh. His grandfather, Bill, and his stepfather, Juan Armand, Sr., decided to head to Mexico to find jobs, and maybe new wives. He, his brother Snooksey (Juan Armand, Jr.), and his Uncle Ginty stayed in Mexico for a year and didn’t attend school. When his was 14, his grandfather and stepfather became unable to care them, so Lavinia and Jordan drove to Mexico to pick up the boys. Skipper remained with them until he got married. He graduated from Hoopa High School in 1962 where he played sports. He cherished his football career and had many fond memories of games and was very proud of his ability to remain upright when opponents attempted to tackle him during his senior year of play. On January 18, 1963, he married the beautiful Dixie Lee Riley, the mother of his two sons, Brian (Valerie) McIntosh of Hoopa and Byron McIntosh of Redding, and helped to raise his bonus son, Gary Riley, whom he loved every bit and the same as his two sons. They eventually settled in Burnt Ranch, CA where they raised their children and made a wonderful life for themselves. Brian’s children are Brian II (Alexis), Chester Dee, Aaron (Diza), and Rita. Byron’s children are Sashelle (Tim) Broadbent, Jasmine (Jesse) Bacon, Byron (Amelia) Jr. and Shawn. He leaves the legacy of these 8 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren to carry on the McIntosh name and history. Skipper and Dixie parted ways in 1992, so he moved back to Hoopa to reside on the old property left to him by Aunt Lavinia and Uncle Jordan. He worked in the sawmills filing saws for most of his work career. His saw filing skills were known all over upper Northern California sawmills. Production and profits went up at every sawmill where he worked. His friend and fellow sawmill worker, Danny Del Rosso, said, “Best saw filer kept them saws sharp.” Skipper was a social person and enjoyed being around people. He coached slow-pitch softball for both men’s teams and co-ed teams. He coached Pop Warner Football. He spent his young adult years, while married to Dixie, hunting, riding motorcycles, playing with his grandchildren, and playing golf. He took a photography class and later received blue ribbons for a few of his photos. In his later years, he had a Harley Davidson Sportster that he rode all over Northern California and over to Reno several times. He really enjoyed that motorcycle. He became an avid rockhound following the Oroville Rock and Gem Society to various locations in California, Oregon, and Nevada to collect specimens of rock and then work the specimens into semi-precious jewelry items. The Rock and Gem Society went on gold-panning excursions, so of course, Skip caught that bug, too. He gold-panned in rivers, creeks, and collected material from many locations that he panned out at home. His stepdaughter, Kristen, convinced him to sign up for an airbrushing class at Butte College. Just like everything Skip tried, he excelled at it and really enjoyed making airbrushed projects. Through events with the Rock and Gem Society, Skip learned the art of water-witching. He met Julie Marshall at a dance in 1993 where he introduced himself as Skip. He said he wanted to make changes in his life, so from then on, he always introduced himself to everyone he encountered as Skip. They married on his birthday in 1994 because he never wanted to forget his anniversary. Together they raised her 5 children: Benjamen Marshall, Kristen Marshall, Brooke (James) Giddens, Johnny (Nena) Blake, and Eric (Shay) Blake. After they were adults or nearly adults, Skip helped raise another 5 children to adulthood: Wes (Rindy) Marshall, Ruby McCovey, Lauriee (Bob) Jackson, Karalyne (Claude) Taylor, and Jillian Marshall. In 2014, Jillian gave birth to Michael Marshall. He became the light of Skip’s existence. On December 1, 2024, he wanted to go to Eureka to Big 5. Skip made his way into the store to the gun counter with the intention of buying Mikey a Christmas gift. This turned out to be his final shopping trip and his last opportunity to do something he really wanted to do. Skip was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Mary Jane Scott, step-father Juan Armand, Sr.; aunt and uncle, Lavinia and Jordan While; uncles, Jack (June) Scott, Frank Scott, and William (Dolly) “Ginty” Scott, Jr.; aunts Bille (Leslie) Risling and Betty May (Nolan) Phillips; grandparents, William and Belle Scott; former father-in-law, Lester Riley; former mother-in-law, Lucille Sharpe; father-in-law, Eugene Marshall; and many other “old people and family” that Skip spoke of fondly including great-grandmother, Nancy Sherman and family friend, Ted Ross. He passed away peacefully on December 27, 2024, at Mad River Community Hospital in Arcata, CA at the age of 81. A funeral is not planned, currently. However, there will be a celebration of his life on or about April 26, 2025, to share stories about him and break bread together. Per his wishes, his ashes will be distributed off Ironside Mountain in Burnt Ranch by his son and family, if the weather allows, sometime in early summer, 2025. Please send your email address to Julie McIntosh at [email protected] to be updated on celebration plans. A memorial page has been established in his honor. The page can be accessed at https://app.bluebutterfly.com/memorial/v2/chester--mcintosh Login and leave your comments and memories of Skipper/Skip for his family to experience. If you have photos they can be uploaded to the page.