of Conway, AR
November 21, 1938 - October 23, 2017
Philip Daniel ''Dan'' Skelton, 78, of Conway, passed away, Monday, October 23, 2017. He was born November 21, 1938 in Conway to the late Jacob Yoes and Louise Nabholz Skelton. Dan was a member at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Conway. He worked for over 33 years as an English professor and Director of the Theatre Department at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia.
Dan earned a B.S.E. from Arkansas State Teachers College (UCA) in 1960, a M.A. from the University of Arkansas in 1969, and an Ed.D. from the University of Mississippi in 1979. Dan found theater while in college at ASTC and enjoyed acting while in school and later directing. He helped direct and produce well over 50 plays during his career and was an original member of the Conway Community Arts Association. As advisor for the yearbook at SAU, he discovered photography and was frequently snapping photos from the sidelines at games. His poetry has appeared in the Arkansas Democrat, the Log Cabin Democrat, Voices International, Hope Tracks, and Humanities in the South. He was the 1981 winner of the Sybl Nash Abrams competition; he published 8 novels.
Dan is survived by his daughter, Dana Wade (Brian) of Conway, grandchildren, Sydney and Tanner Meyer both of Conway, sister, Marion Swift of Maumelle, brothers, David Skelton (Patricia) of Conway, and Walter Skelton (Martha) of Little Rock, a host of nieces, nephews, family, friends, and his faithful dog Yoda.
He is preceded in death by his parents, and brother, James Skelton.
Rosary will begin at 6PM at St. Joseph Catholic Church Thursday, October 26, 2017 with visitation following.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 AM Friday, October 27, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Conway with Father Tony Roberts officiating.
Entombment will follow at St. Joseph Mausoleum.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Staff at Salem Place Nursing Home in Conway.
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21 Condolence(s)
Robin Wantland
Friday, October 27, 2017
So sorry for your loss. I'm so glad that I got to know Dan. He was such a wonderful, sweet, talented guy. I'll always remember him fondly.
Leslie Turner
Friday, October 27, 2017
Prayers for your family.... had the pleasure of meeting him at Salem Place and working with him.... loved him a lot... very special man.
Laura Skelton
Friday, October 27, 2017
Dana and family, I’m so sorry for your loss. Uncle Dan touched so many lives. What a beautiful legacy.
Ray Hambuchen
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Farewell my friend--good times in the past-sorry we lost connection in later years. Loved you like a big brother and my life is better for having known you. see you later. Ray
Candy Adams
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Candy and Rusty Adams
Stuart Schichtl
Thursday, October 26, 2017
David, Pat and Family,
So sorry for your loss of Dan. Your family is in my prayers.
Joe Wilson
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
I'm so sorry for your loss, he was such a wonderful person, and taught me so much about directing and theater in general
He will be missed.
Kevin Phillips
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
I'm sad to hear of Doc's passing,;I remember him always cracking a smile when I'd see him & ask, "Hey, what's up Doc?" I always called him "Doc" & he never corrected me.
Being a man of faith I know he's in a lot better place than here.
Jennifer's & my thoughts & prayers are with Dana & the rest of his family & numerous friends.
Ken Stonecipher
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
MY FRIEND…
I knew about him as early as my freshman year when we met on the third floor of Wilson Hall. He was coming out of his office and I literally slammed into him… a half-scared, half-crazed kid in a new place and with a look on my face that said, ‘I am really not sure about all this.’ He grabbed my shoulders, not so much to stop me but to keep from falling himself. I apologized as fast as I could and he just stared at me, somehow caught up in some theatrical moment. He started grinning from ear-to-ear and said…
“That was classic! CLASSIC! Wish we’d had it on film. We couldn’t have acted it that well if we’d rehearsed it.” I didn’t understand what he meant until long after, after he’d slapped me on the back and walked away to his class. I stood there staring after him, perplexed but feeling somehow good about it, comfortable, almost confident in who I was. I glanced at the name on the wall by the door. Dan Skelton. How would I know that in the months and years to come, he would become for me a mentor, a confidant, a hero, a brother and a friend.
We moved in semi-concentric circles for the next three years, casually meeting, working together on different projects, laughing, meeting for coffee in the student union when he could have been sitting with his more age-appropriate colleagues at “the faculty” table. But in January of 1976, another journey began with rehearsals for one of the finest musical productions SSC/SAU had ever seen, “1776!” I credit friend Scott Hardin for bringing the two of us together in a rip-roaring, seismic collaboration as Colonel Thomas McKean and George Reed playing off each other as taunting, back-stabbing, “digging” Continental Congress representatives from Delaware, arguing over the Declaration of Independence. I spouted Scottish idioms in the face of his impish, prissy character and the banter back and forth brought the house down on more than one occasion. I remember our cutting eyes back and forth in subtle, theatrical nuances which the audience caught… and in many of them, we read each other’s mind, enjoying our craft and each other, knowing we were doing something great, something enjoyable and entertaining hundreds of people… as well as securing a bond between us that would never be broken.
I spent hours in his home, learning, growing and developing a friendship that would be a major basis for my literary endeavors. I learned a lifetime of direction and creative strategies, things mere instruction books can’t convey. Dan’s talent as a writer was extraordinary. His ability to weave a story and pull the reader into it should have promoted him to literary stardom. His characters flew off the pages of his works; they clasped themselves to his readers and took us to worlds unknown... and then brought us home again. And that is quite possibly another characteristic of the man, someone you’d want to wrap around you like an old quilt, comforting, secure, chalked full of memories, someone we could always pull from a safe place, knowing he would transport us right back to that same, safe place. Dan had a way of speaking to you which when translated, communicated… ‘I care about you, not just as a human being but as someone worthy, someone from whom I can learn, someone I truly enjoy being around.’
Dan Skelton was also a man of faith. In a turbulent world where religion is sometimes regarded as passé, old-hat, a huge waste of time (at least until the next big terrorist attack,) Dan lived his faith, sharing with others, encouraging and making sure we knew that it wasn’t just a piece of his life but the most important piece of his life. He did it unashamedly, without pious or arrogant, in-your-face proclamation. He was a true living and breathing believer.
I’ve known very few, truly renaissance men in my life… men who exemplify all the remarkable traits of talent, humanity, intelligence, humility, faith and good-will… Dan Skelton exuded all these qualities and served them up in a world of laughter, smiles and gratitude, all the while possessing a heart brimming with unequivocal love for mankind, a modern-day St. Francis of Assisi… caring and giving and offering himself up for anyone who was in need. We’ve lost a great man, a great soul, a remarkable friend and an outstanding human being. I feel a void I haven’t felt in a long, long time.
I sometimes wish I could be there when a friend marches into heaven… could experience the joy, the celebration, the brilliant, shining light of God upon their face. My friend is in no more pain, his worries are over, his concern for all those he loved are at an end. How I envy him… but who in their right mind could be selfish of that. Enjoy your new life dear friend.
Judy Talley Wade
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
I was saddened to hear of the passing of Dr Dan. Not only was he my professor for a few classes, but also a friend. He was always there to listen to what you had to say and encourage you to go above and beyond . My prayers are with your family, Dana. Dr. Dan will never be forgotten.
Regina (Kubacki) & Jerry Spears
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
I’m so sorry to learn of Dan’s passing. I will miss Dan tremendously. About 15 years ago, I was going thru a medical scare and Dan was the ONE, who got in touch with me and talked me into calm and out of fear. From that time on he has Never let me go thru anything without his Prayers and comforting words of Encouragement. I only hope in some small way I was able to do a little of the same for Dan. There is so much I feel in my Heart that overcomes the sorrow I also feel. From the days of childhood, swinging on Aunt Elvira’s side pour heart swing with all the Conway cousins welcoming the “city” cousins, giving us a taste of small town life. We have longed to move to Conway to be a part of a Kinder and Calmer way of life. Yet life took us in other directions.
I have all of Dans books and have been happy to share that he is my cousin.
I will miss Dan so much. I will continue to pray for all of Dan’s family as I know the void he leaves will be great. I also know that Heaven will be brighter with Dans presence.
In HIS Love ❤️
Regina Kubacki Spears.
PS. With deepest regrets I will not be able to attend Dan’s Celebration of Life. I have no one available to be with Jerry long enough for me to come since he can only be left for short periods.
Michael Walters
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Dr. Dan, you made a huge difference in my life. You made me laugh and you made me think. I shall always remember you, and carry what I learned from you about delivering the truth in each performance. "And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."
Goodnight, sweet prince.
Charlessa Springberg
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Dr. Dan will surely be missed. He touched so many lives including mine. He was my teacher, my director, and my friend. He showed me a special love for the written word and for that I am forever grateful.
My love and thoughts to his family.
Tam Taylor
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
I'm feeling a HUGE hole in my heart since hearing of Dr. Dan's passing yesterday. I had Dr. Dan as a teacher in my Creative Writing class and he was one of my favorite teachers at SAU!! He was much more than that though....He was a GREAT ENCOURAGER to me and everyone he encountered, VERY easy to talk to/with about anything.....I could go on and on but I'll just say I will love and miss my friend Dr. Dan always!!
Sarah Stevenson
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
I am heartbroken at the news of Dr. Skelton's passing. He was my advisor at Southern Arkansas University, and I just adored him. His kind, easy manner put students at ease, and he had a way of making us want to work hard so that he would be proud of us.
Godspeed, Dr. Skelton.
Charlessa Springberg
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Dr. Dan will surely be missed. He touched so many lives including mine. He was my teacher, my director, and my friend. He showed me a special love for the written word and for that I am forever grateful.
My love and thoughts to his family.
Angie Carr Robinett
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
To Uncle Dan's Family,
Barry Grant is my brother in law and I met UD once and we connected! What a character! His writing was talented beyond measure. He will be missed. You are all in my prayers!
David and Natasha Murphy
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Dan was a great guy. He meant a lot to me and my family. He was greatly missed by his students when he retired from SAU. God bless you Dr. Dan.
Andrea Skelton Holt
Monday, October 23, 2017
Uncle Dan was a kind, gentle & loving person. So sorry for your loss,
Andrea
Cathy Denmon Payne
Monday, October 23, 2017
I am so sorry to hear this sad news and will be praying for the family. Dan was my English professor for many classes at SAU, and he was one of the great influences on my education and in my professional life. I am so blessed to have known him.
MARCY TEAGUE
Monday, October 23, 2017
ONE OF THE GREATEST GUYS OF ALL TIMES. ILL ALWAYS TREASURE OUR BOND!!!!!