A. T. Skeen

Mr. A.T. “Tom” Skeen was born the son of Arthur “Dick” Thomas Skeen & Flora McAndrew, on April 4, 1925, in Hamblen County, TN. He flew to glory on December 19, 2018, after two weeks of tender and attentive care at the W.G. Hefner Veteran’s Association Medical Center Hospital in Salisbury. He was a long-time resident of the Assisted Living Center there for several years.

Tom was born in humble beginnings on a rural farm outside of Morristown, TN. His education began in a one-room schoolhouse, where he achieved 8th Grade proficiency. Later, after being drafted into the US Army in 1943, he completed his high school diploma. Beyond his service career, he truly was a self-made man, earning many impressive educational accomplishments and accolades throughout his life.

In the Army, he served honorably and proudly for 26 years. His early assignments were with Companies B & D in the 88th Chemical Mortar Battalion, after completing Basic Training at Ft. Rucker, AL. He later saw combat in World War II in the Palau Group of Islands, Leyte, Philippines, and in Okinawa, Japan. While in Leyte, his battalion was honored with a top review by General Douglas MacArthur, who shook Tom’s hand in praise while all of the troops were standing at attention on the tarmac. He was also awarded a Purple Heart for an injury during his World War II service.

After a short assignment with Regimental Combat Team Company K 278th, in the National Guard, he returned to active duty with that Unit, later serving in the Korean War.

Appointed as Warrant Officer 1 in 1960, he became a Technical Writer and Communications Expert advancing there until his retirement, as Chief Warrant Officer 4 in 1971. For much of his time in the Army, Tom was an essential part of the Nike Missile Program.

On retirement from the Army, he continued his technical writing career with Western Electric (later named AT&T) through his retirement there in 1987.

Always a wordsmith, and one of the first of his time to gain ease of use with personal computers (in the age of DOS), Tom was also a proud Scotsman. He was fascinated by genealogy. He steadfastly traveled the United States to research his family’s genealogical history. Later, he wrote and self-published four books about his and his family’s ancestry (of course, using the latest computer software; he prided himself on that). His books include: 1) Clan Skeen: Barons of Skeen and Descendants (Pub. 1987; 2) Clan McAndrew: 1783 – 1900 – Descendants and the McAndrew Family History ( Pub. 1988); 3) Coveys of Birds – Emigrants 1785 – Families of Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee (Pub. 1989); 4) Skeen, the Families of Tennessee, Their Ancestors of Virginia, New York, & Scotland (Pub. 2005).

For over ten years, he was the President of Clan Skene, reviving and enlarging the Clan Membership by traveling to Highland Games throughout the Southeastern US. On his watch, Skene tartan fabric was produced for the Clan so that official kilts could be made for Clan parade events.

He was married to Eva Stella Powell Skeen for 24 years. He is survived by their children: son Gerald Arthur Skeen, former U.S. Army, and wife, Laura, of Brockton, MA, and their children, Stephanie Kunkle, Michael Skeen, and Keri McNair; daughter Linda Sue Skeen Williams, of Winston-Salem, NC, her daughter, Dawn Stewart; Debra Anne Skeen Perret, and husband, Peter, of Clemmons, NC, and their sons, Zachary and Michael Perret; Thomas Forrest Skeen, and wife, Roxie, of Forsyth, GA, and their son, Steven Skeen and daughter, Kathryn Hirsch; and Susan Lee Skeen-House, and husband, Joel House, of Winter Garden, FL, and their daughter, Molly House; along with 10 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his son, Steven James Skeen, U.S. Army.

Tom was a colorful character. In earlier days, he was a fine golfer and a bit of a pool shark. He was a natural NASCAR fan, having been raised in moonshine country in the hills of Tennessee.

His competitive streak was obvious during games of checkers, cribbage, and poker. And he was known to place a bet on a golf game every now and then.

An eager dancer, especially for the jitterbug, and a bit of a flirt, he was sweet on the ladies and kind to the gents. He was known to drink a martini or two in his earlier years. Always an avid gardener, he grew the best tomatoes, green beans, corn, and when living in FL, lots of citrus.

Some of our family’s fondest days were celebrated with Tom on Lake Norman, where he captained his pontoon boat with pride and hosted many wonderful cookouts, weekends, and a beautiful wedding. Tom was always a generous host, with a stocked pantry, and endless patience to ride the many kids and grandkids around the lake on skis and tubes until the sunset.

During his later days, at the VA in Salisbury, he became a bit of an artist in ceramics and acrylic painting. And he was known as their most avid reader, always seen with a book in his hand, and recommending fine books to many friends and the staff there. He was an active member of the Grey Wolf Club, the chorus, and was recently voted Vice-President of the Residents’ Council.

His mother, Flora, always called him “handy as a shirt pocket,” because he could fix any and everything. For a boy from the hills of Tennessee, raised in a log cabin with no running water, and taught in a one-room schoolhouse, Tom went on to have a distinguished life of travel, education, and a beautiful family.

He will be missed by all who knew him, but our lives are better for his 93 years on this earth.

Our family is supremely grateful for the years of fine care and attention the staff at W.G. “Bill” Hefner Veterans Authority gave to our father, both in Piedmont Neighborhood, and, most recently, in the Intensive Care and Hospice units.

A Gathering of Friends will be held at Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home, 3315 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC, on January 12, with receiving of friends 1-2 p.m. and his service at 2 p.m. A Celebration of his Life will be held at the home of Peter and Debra Perret at 4230 Stoney Brook Road in Clemmons following the Gathering of Friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to: Liberty Lane Hospice House, Building 43, W. G. Hefner Salisbury Veterans Authority, 1601 Brenner Avenue, Salisbury, NC 28144. Online condolences may be posted at www.hayworth-miller.com.