Wallace Woodruff "Woody" Skaggs

Wallace Woodruff Skaggs “Woody” age 59, of Knoxville passed away on Friday January 26, 2018, surrounded by family and loved ones after a courageous 2 ½ year battle with cancer. Woody was born in Knoxville on June 22, 1958 and resided here his entire life. He was of the Catholic faith and a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Cathedral. He was a graduate of Bearden High School where he excelled in academics and athletics. An outstanding runner, Woody held the school record for the 2 mile run, a record which stood for 35 years. He was also a member of the 1975 Bearden state championship track team. Woody graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Business Administration. He was a member of the UT Track Team and Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. Much of his professional life was spent working at Woodruff’s, a family owned business in downtown Knoxville. Woodruff’s was founded in 1865 by Woody’s great-great-grandfather, Capt. W.W. Woodruff. Woody was proud of the fact that he was a fifth generation family member to work at Woodruff’s. He later worked at the Knoxville Zoo, a job which gave him great pleasure as he dearly loved animals and children. He loved to travel and was especially fond of weekends at Elkmont as a child as well as trips to Pawleys Island, SC throughout his life. He was an avid follower of all UT athletics and enjoyed Saturdays at Neyland Stadium watching the Vols play football. Woody was also a past president of The Cotillion Club. Woody was predeceased by his father William Carter Skaggs Jr. his aunt Helen Skaggs Dugan and uncle Wallace Woodruff Baumann. He is survived by his mother Ethel Baumann Skaggs, brothers William C. Skaggs lll, Thomas B. Skaggs and sister-in-law Blair H. Skaggs. Also surviving are his aunt Lucy Baumann Zemp cousins John R. Dugan (Marcie McKee), William S. Dugan (Christine), Lucy Garrabrants (Andy), Libby Cheek (Ross), Katherine Zemp, Beverly Coleman, Fred Baumann (Karen), Connie Hewitt, Helen Hewitt and John Hewitt. The Family would like to thank Dr. Antony Charles and his staff at the UT Cancer Institute, as well as the staff at Westmoreland Health and Rehabilitation Center for the loving care that Woody received during his battle with cancer. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to: Zoo Knoxville, 3500 Knoxville Zoo Dr. Knoxville, TN 37914 UT Cancer Institute, 1926 Alcoa Hwy, Medical Bldg. F, Knoxville, TN 37920 Young Williams Animal Center, 3201 Division Street, Knoxville, TN 37919 or the charity of your choice. Memorial Mass will be held 2pm, Saturday, February 3, at Sacred Heart Cathedral with a visitation to follow in Fellowship Hall.

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Wallace Woodruff "Woody" Skaggs

January 26, 2018