Thomas David “Tommy” Skelton, Sr passed away at his home in Mt. Pleasant on Sunday, March 24, after a long illness and surrounded by his family. 

Tommy was born on January 20, 1941, the firstborn child and oldest son of Bascom Skelton and Lucy “Bumpie” Person. He was a musician and member of both the North Texas Steel Guitar Association and the Nashville Steel Guitar Association. 

His main hobby was drag racing, which he LOVED, acting as both lead mechanic and pit crew for “Skelton Brothers Racing,” with younger brother, Gene, as the driver. They were well known for the Roadrunner, a maroon 1951 Ford pickup (with a Chevy motor, natch), and a yellow Chevy S-10.

Tommy leaves behind two daughters, Brigitte Sue Baker (Paul) of Moscow, TN, and Tina Nichole Yeager (Cory) of Waterford, MS, six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and four siblings, Bascom “Gene” Skelton of Mt. Pleasant, Shirley Skelton and Peggy Hurley (Patrick), both of Collierville, TN, and Barry Yeager, of 

Lincoln City, Oregon.

Tommy was preceded in death by his parents, Bascom Skelton and Lucy “Bumpie” Person, his son, Thomas David “Pete” Skelton Jr, twin granddaughters, Lucy Mae and Georgia Ellen Skelton, and siblings, Ronald Miles Skelton and Patricia Diane Yeager. 

Tommy did not want a service, but in conversations with grandson, Chris, about how he would like to be honored, he suggested that whenever you think of him, have a pineapple and bacon sandwich (with just a little mayo), and see how you like it. As he would always say, “It’s larapin!"