He was born to Lee and NaDean Skinner on April 29, 1941 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. He attended College High School in Bartlesville and was a graduate of Oklahoma State University; he later served as a lieutenant in the United States Army.

John married Elizabeth R. Skinner on May 1, 1999 in Lake Tahoe. He retired from the National Forest Service as the Tahoe National Forest Supervisor in 1998; he was also a writer, and owner of www.sierraoutdoorrecreation.com. He was a member of the Sierra Writers Group and the Nevada County Land Trust. His hobbies included being an avid hiker, camping, being a father and grandfather, gourmet cooking, photography, travel, and being an adventurer.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth R. Skinner of Grass Valley, California; son, Ian L. Skinner of Sacramento, California; daughter, Tamsen A. Skinner of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; brother, James Skinner of Australia; and four grandchildren in Sacramento and Grass Valley, California. He was predeceased by his mother, NaDean Skinner in 2008 and his father Lee Skinner over 40 years ago.