Paul Anderson Skelton

A native of Jacksonville, he had resided in Tallahassee since 1948. He was born in Savannah, Georgia, November 13, 1921. His family moved to Jacksonville when he was two years old. He graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in 1939. A WW II U.S. Navy veteran, he was assigned to naval intelligence in Miami, Florida, and Oahu, Hawaii where he was attached to the headquarters of Admiral Nimitz, Chief of Naval Operations in the Pacific. Upon discharge from the Navy he graduated from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, with a BS in Business where he was active on the tennis team, serving as captain in his senior year and also serving as captain of the cheerleading squad. He is a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He received an MS degree in Public Administration in 1952 from Florida State University.

Upon graduation from Miami University he came to Tallahassee and was employed for thirty-five years by various state agencies including the State Auditing Department, the Public Service Commission, the Board of Control (the predecessor of the Board of Regents), and the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, and the Department of Corrections

Paul was active in many organizations beginning with the Tallahassee Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees), serving as President and receiving the Seldon Waldo Award as the Outstanding Local President, and also serving as National Director of the Jaycees. He also served as President of the Tallahassee Kiwanis Club and served as Lieutenant Governor of the 3rd District of Kiwanis.

He served as a member of the Board of Directors and Vice President of the American Correctional Association and is a life member of that organization by virtue of receiving the prestigious E.R. Cass award for outstanding contributions to the field of corrections. He also served as President of the Correctional Industries Association and received a life membership from that organization. In 1983 he received the Distinguished Service Award from the Florida Council on Crime and Delinquency. He is a life member of the Disabled American Veterans and is also a member of the VFW and the American Legion.

Upon his retirement, Paul was active in the AARP Tax Aid program serving as District Coordinator, helping thousands of senior citizens file income tax returns. He also served on the National Advisory Committee for the program. When not traveling with Ginny and playing tennis at Forest Meadows with Father Times Friends, he served as a volunteer with the hospital auxiliary, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, and Westminster Oaks Retirement Village.

He was predeceased by his wife, Ginny, parents Paul Skelton and Ruth Hanson Bland Skelton Hughes, brother Hanson Skelton, daughter-in-law Theresa Skelton, and son David Skelton.

Paul is survived by his son Bruce of Pensacola, daughter Cindy Burgess (husband Val) and daughter in law Sandra Winchester Skelton of Tallahassee, grandson Garad Harrell, of Arab, AL, two great-grandsons Logan and Drew and a great-granddaughter Addison.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the TMH Foundation, Friends of Rikki Endowment, 1331 E 6th Ave,Tallahassee, Fl 32303 or Ronald McDonald House, 716 East Seventh Avenue, Tallahassee 32303 or a Charity of your choice.