Don Skelton, Sr.

Don Allen Skelton, Sr., 81, of Brandon, MS passed away at home, on August 26, 2020.   He was born on December 7, 1938 in Myrtle, MS to Curtis Upton and Mattie Lou Heaton Skelton.

He grew up in the Mississippi Delta attending Leland Public Schools and graduating from Leland High School with the class of 1956.  While at LHS he participated in the LHS Band and various athletics.  Don stated, “Throughout my lifetime I have been able to enjoy experiences centered around athletics, music, and family.  This has proven extremely rewarding as both a participant and spectator, especially through shared experiences with our children and grandchildren.”  He was an accomplished musician and continued his musical endeavors attending the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, and playing with the band, Joe Frank and the Knights.

He joined the Air Force, training at Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, MS, and serving as a member of the 59th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron as a Hurricane Hunter stationed at Kindley Air Force Base in Bermuda.  While in the service he continued to enjoy music and athletics, participating in the Drum and Bugle Corps and earning the honor of Athlete of the Year for his base.

He married Diane Garren in 1962 and they have two children, Judith Diane and Don Allen (Bubba), Jr.

Following his time in the Air Force he continued his education and athletic career attending and playing baseball at Delta State University.  Over the years completing Undergraduate, Master’s and Doctorate degrees in education and administration.  He enjoyed a rewarding career in education, serving students as a high school and college educator, coach, and administrator for 48 years in Mississippi, Georgia, and Louisiana.  His career in education included teaching and coaching at Hazelhurst, New Albany, Natchez (MS), and Osborne (GA) high schools.  He served college students at Mississippi College, Southeastern Louisiana University, Delta State University, and University of Louisiana in Monroe.  He retired in 2011 as the Vice President for Advancement at ULM.  His impact over the years was significant on his players, students, fellow coaches, and colleagues.

Don is preceded in death by his parents Curtis and Mattie Lou Skelton, and his granddaughter, Lauren Olivia Skelton.

Survivors include: his wife, Diane Garren Skelton; daughter, Judith Diane Skelton Dorch (Robert); son, Don Allen (Bubba) Skelton, Jr. (Tammie); grandsons, Don Allen (Trey) Skelton, III and Paxton Alexander Dorch; brother, Robert Skelton (Dottie) of Spokane, WA; and numerous extended family and loved ones.

In lieu of flowers, at Don’s request, memorial donations may be made to St Jude Children’s Hospital or the Manning Family Fund.

A private family burial will be held at Biloxi National Cemetery with a Celebration of Life to be held at a future date.