Royce Ray Skelton

Born in the Kenwood Addition in Harris County to Raymond Earl Skelton and Ocie Pauline Keonitzer Skelton, Royce, beloved brother, husband, uncle, and grandfather, passed away at the age of 76.

Preceded in death by his father, Raymond Skelton, his mother, Ocie Skelton, his brothers Aaron, Raymond, James, Orvel (Curly), Rayford Skelton, and Ernest LaCaze, his sister Billie Jean Cox, brother-in-laws Joe Pitman and Doyce Barrett, and his wife, Minnie Ann Skelton. He is survived by his two sisters, Norma Pitman of Cushing, Texas and Betty Barrett of Bullard, Texas, numerous nieces and nephews, and his three grandchildren, Dava, Davin, and Dylan Oxford.

Royce, also affectionately known as Paw-Paw, was an Army veteran, having honorably served in Vietnam, and married the love of his life, Minnie Ann Skelton, on July 22nd, 1978. They spent 45 years together before she passed in October of 2023.

Royce was known to all that knew him as a funny, jack-of-all-trades and master of many, including heavy equipment operation which he dedicated most of his life to. In his spare time he enjoyed playing the guitar, fishing, hunting, and golfing. He enjoyed sharing his hobbies with his friends and loved ones, often hosting musical get togethers, barbecuing, or frying up fish that he caught himself. He served as a dedicated grandfather, teaching his grandchildren the essentials in all things fishing, fixing, and gardening, and offering sage wisdom in the form of a wisecrack and a toothy grin. Hours spent playing his guitar, either honing his skills or playing for anyone that wanted to listen, he loved all things music, bluegrass being a passion that he shared with his wife for which they often traveled to bluegrass festivals. When he wasn't watching old John Wayne westerns or reading his Louis L'amour novels, he was tending to his massive vegetable garden in which he held so much pride, ending a hard day's work with an ice cold beer in his easy chair.

He will be so sorely missed by every life he touched, but we can all take solace in knowing he is once again reunited with his wife, where they can sit together in the ever after, enjoying a hot cup of coffee, watching the bird feeders, and sharing a quiet smile.

Pallbearers include Davin and Dylan Oxford, Glenn Pitman, Kenneth Pitman, Keith Best, Davis “DeeDee” Williamson, and Honorary Pallbearer, Steve Best.