Robert W. Skelton

Skelton, Robert Wayne “Bobby”, 74, of Montgomery died Sunday June 3, 2012. He was born in Pell City, Alabama on April 13, 1938 to the late Robert Ray and Emma Sue Joiner Skelton. He was a standout athlete and graduated from Pell City High School in 1956. He then attended The University of Alabama on an athletic scholarship where he excelled at quarterback under the legendary coach Paul Bryant. He played in the first Liberty Bowl Game in 1959, the Bluebonnet Bowl in 1960 and the North/South All Star Shrine Game in 1960 where he earned Most Valuable Player honors. He graduated from The University in 1962 with a degree in Education. He was a graduate assistant football coach at Alabama in 1962 and went on to coach football at Pell City High School, Huntsville High School and served as Athletic Director and Head Football coach at Hooper Academy in Montgomery. In 1976 he went to work for the State of Alabama in the Alabama Development Office where he worked until his retirement in 1998. He then became Commissioner of the Alabama Community College Conference until 2002. Continuing his love of football, Bobby became a South Eastern Conference football official in 1972. He officiated more than 5 bowl games, 2 National Championship Games, 12 Blue/Gray All Star games and 11 Senior Bowl games. He left the SEC in 1985 to become the first Alabama native to be selected to officiate in the National Football League. From 1989-2002 along with a full 14 season schedule, he officiated 13 Divisional Playoff Games including 2 Conference Championship Games. In 1989 he officiated Super Bowl XXIII in Miami between the San Francisco 49ers and the Cincinnati Bengals. In 2002 he became a replay official, where he continued his work for the NFL until his retirement in 2008. Bobby is survived by his wife Joy, his 6 children and their spouses, Robert and Denise Skelton, Shannon and Robert Bates, Dallas Skelton, Christopher and Ange Rice, Jeffrey and Cecile Rice and Evelyn and Joe O’Leary; 12 grandchildren Robert D. Skelton Jr., Taylor Rice, Kyle Skelton, Devin Skelton, Shelby Bates, Tyler Skelton, Michael O’Leary, Jacob Rice, Emma Bates, William O’Leary, Matthew Rice and Kendall Rice. He is also survived by his sister Lillie Skelton. In addition to his parents Bobby was preceded in death by his sister Sandra (Skelton) Cosby. A memorial service for will be held at St. James United Methodist Church, Montgomery, Alabama at 2:00 p.m. on June 7, 2012. Visitation will immediately precede the service at 1:00 p.m. at the church. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. James United Methodist Church, 9045 Vaughn Rd., Montgomery, Al 36117. The UAB Center for Palliative Care, FOT 1231, 1530 3rd Ave South, Bham, Al 35294. Or the charity of your choice.