TUCSON, Ariz. – Nelson Earl “Skip” Dexter II, son, brother, husband, father, friend, philosopher, spiritualist, carpenter, counselor, talker, guitarist, singer, hiker, biker, reader, lover of all and eater of all things food, died peacefully July 3, 2009, at his home after a valiant battle with cancer. He was born Feb. 16, 1949, in Bangor, to Patricia Cheney and Nelson Earl Dexter I. Skip’s creativity, devotion and intelligence were apparent from a very early age. Although he certainly stood out for his athletic ability and his bright mind, perhaps the most precious gift born to him was his passion for music. As a youngster he dabbled with the trumpet but found his true calling when his mother gave him a guitar. Skip taught himself how to play left-handed on a right-handed instrument and never looked back; after that he was seldom seen without a guitar in his hands – playing everything from jazz to bluegrass. Curiosity about the world molded Skip into a voracious reader and lover of discussion. The appetite he had for knowledge was rivaled only by that he had for food – all kinds: from jelly doughnuts and Chinese buffet to peanut butter and mayonnaise sandwiches and salt and vinegar chips – the man truly loved to eat. Skip’s work spanned from the design and manufacture of fine cabinetry, homes and furniture to the creative niche of working with troubled teens. The beautiful mountains and purple sunset hue of the desert coupled with a deep disdain for shoveling snow brought Skip and his family to the Sonoran desert 13 years ago. It was in Tucson, Ariz., where he finally settled in to work at the In Balance Ranch Academy; here his love for people and deep-seated belief in their resilience and ability to overcome truly came to fruition in his work as a substance abuse counselor. Skip profoundly loved each and every person he worked with and his efforts, insight and enthusiasm have been and will continue to be significant in the lives of many. Skip Dexter is survived by two children from his first marriage, Casey Dexter of Tucson, Ariz., and Emily Dexter of Bangor; his wife of 17 years, Shannon Carson Dexter and their son, William Dexter, of Tucson, Ariz.; his mother, Patricia Dexter of Bangor; and sister, Teresa Gormely of Hampden. In the end Skip was surrounded by loving family and friends. He would often say, “I am loved” and felt blessed with the wealth of tenderness and caring bestowed upon him; only appropriate for a man whose passion was to be there for others. Yes, Skip, you are loved – always. A memorial service will be held 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 17, at Church of the Open Door, 270 Main Road North, Hampden. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in his honor to Next Step Alliance at www.nextstepalliance.org. “There is no cure for birth and death save to enjoy the interval.” – George Santayana
NELSON EARL ‘SKIP’ DEXTER II
