Harold Eugene Skelton, 1897-1991

Harold Eugene Skelton entered the ordained ministry in 1940 after graduating from Bridgewater College. He was 43 at the time and he had been a shopkeeper with his father at their store, E.P. Skelton and Son, at Weyers Cave prior to entering the ministry. Harold was one of the first people to bring radio to the Shenandoah Valley and local residents would often gather at the Skelton store to listen to programs. Harold was an avid baseball fan and he had played baseball as a young man in local leagues as well as a student at Bridgewater College when he was in his early 40s.

Harold served as pastor of the Highland Charge from 1940 to 1943. From 1943 to 1946, he served as a chaplain in the United Slates Army. He was also a veteran of World War I. Upon his return to Virginia in 1946, Harold served the New Hope-Fishersville Charge and remained at New Hope until 1953. He thereafter served as the founding pastor for the Huntington-Burgundy Village Charge that eventually became Cameron Church in Alexandria from which he retired in 1965. During his retirement, Harold wrote a book titled Weyers Cave First Century 1874-1974 which serves as an important document for the history of the area. Harold also served appointments in Waynesboro, Port Republic and Weyers Cave after his formal retirement.

Harold was immensely dedicated to the ministry of Christ. In his later years, he continued to visit from house to house, to write letters of encouragement and comfort and to serve in every way possible. Members of the Cameron Church related how Harold demonstrated exemplary leadership during the formative years of that congregation. Harold loved the church and he was a pastor par excellence. His favorite hymn was "O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go" and his favorite Bible passage Titus 3:4-8. Harold loved to read (especially the Bible), he loved to eat (especially breakfast), but most of all, he loved people!

Harold was preceded in death by his wife, Myrle, and his daughter, Kathleen. He is survived by his daughter, Elaine Fike, and three granddaughters and several great-grandchildren. He leaves a legacy of great Christian service to them and to all whose lives he touched. Thanks be to God for the life and ministry of Harold Eugene Skelton.

-Reginald D. Tuck