Ricky Leon Skelton

With his wife holding his hand and surrounded by family, Ricky Leon Skelton went on to be with the Lord on Saturday, October 5, 2024.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 8:00 pm Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at Memorial Park Riverside Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Wednesday at Harmony Hall Baptist Church with interment to follow in Lebanon Church Cemetery. Reverend John Kinsey will officiate.

Many people knew him as Rick but his most special group of people called him Pappy. With grace and amazing faith, he fought a nearly two year battle with cancer.

Rick was born January 15, 1954 to the late Clarence and Ethelene (Griffin) Skelton. He spent most of his childhood in the Lakewood area but often spoke of his summer trips to stay with family in “Peckerwood”. Rick eventually ended up back in the Gillsville area with the love of his life, Charlotte, his two sons, Lee and Josh and two daughters, Melissa and Rhonda. On his journey, Rick experienced and accomplished many things. First and foremost, God saved him when he was seven years old. He served four years in the United States Army, where he was stationed in Germany and worked as military police. His professions included fireman, paramedic, land surveyor, and lastly started his own real estate appraisal company. He had a passion for Harley Davidson motorcycles and loved to study the Bible. He was a kind hardworking man and loved by all who knew him.

Rick was an amazing artist and used that talent to be a blessing to so many. Melissa recruited him to paint run through signs for the East Hall High football team. It would hurt a little to watch the team crash through a real work of art. He continued to paint the signs for EH and also did some for Riverside Military Academy. Murals he painted adorned the gyms and halls of some local schools. During his battle with cancer, Rick rediscovered his love for art. He would escape to his desk and enter another dimension with his painting and music. Amazingly, he painted up until his final few days of life on earth. His final masterpiece was a red-tailed hawk, with an eye that stares straight into your soul. The eye of the hawk captured Rick’s determination and resolve throughout his life.

Rick is survived by his loving wife Charlotte of 39 years and sons, Lee Skelton (Vivi) and Josh Skelton, and daughters, Rhonda Shea (John) and Melissa Griffin (Scott). He is also survived by his brothers, Arnold Skelton (Linda) and Phillip Skelton and sister Linda Obregon. He has a host of grandchildren, including Holly Page (Jamie), Stephen Pitts, Carly Larsen (Trey), Maggie Griffin, Audrey Griffin, Sarah Skelton, Ricky Skelton, III, Ben Skelton and Becky Skelton and great-grandchildren, Teagan, Nixon Lucas, Kayley, Madison and Hunter, and Many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Billy Skelton, brother-in-law, Paul Obregon and granddaughter, Anna Marie Whiting.

Rick’s life can be summed up with one word – selfless. He found himself alone with two sons in his early days and rose to the occasion. When his wife fell seriously ill, without waiver, he committed to care for her and followed through in an unbelievable way. He loved to cook, primarily smoking and grilling different kinds of meat. One of his final acts of selflessness was when he smoked chicken and ribs for the family, even though he was unable to eat due to the cancer. He loved God and loved others in a full and amazing way.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to Harmony Hall Baptist Church, 4160 Harmony Church Road, Gillsville, GA 30543.

Memorial Park Riverside Chapel 989 Riverside Drive Gainesville, Georgia is in charge of arrangements

For online condolences www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com .