In Loving Memory of

Paul Skelton

SUNRISE November 6, 1952 - SUNSET November 24, 2015

Paul K. Skelton passed away peacefully in Scottsdale, AZ on Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at the age of 63 with his family and close friends by his side. A beloved husband, father, brother, mentor, and cherished friend, Paul lived and loved every moment of life. He always looked for the good in things and people, never putting himself first. His smile, kindness, love and hospitality were never-ending.

Paul is survived by his wife of 29 years, Faith; children, Emily and Paul II; dogs, Harley and Mack; brothers, James and William; sisters, Anne (Weber) and Peggie (Simon). He is preceded in death by his father, William, and mother, Virginia. He had an extraordinary love for his family and treasured every moment they spent together.

Born on November 6, 1952 in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, Paul had an affinity for all things fast, spending a considerable amount of his youth racing motorcycles and spending countless hours as an adult making sure his cars were crystal clean. In 1973 Paul made the trek to Tucson, Arizona where he began his career in the Country Club/Hospitality Industry. From his first Manager position in 1984 at Skyline Country Club (Tucson), to most recently as General Manager and Chief Operating Officer at The Country Club at DC Ranch (Scottsdale), Paul contributed to the development and operation of many golf and country clubs in Arizona, while collecting numerous accolades along the way. In 1988 Paul received the Certified Club Manager designation from the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) and was also elected President of The Greater Southwest Chapter of CMAA, a position he held through 1989. In 1992 he was elected National Director of CMAA and in 1999 he was elected National President of CMAA. In 2012 he was the recipient of the Excellence in Club Management Award and on November 24, 2014, Paul was inducted into the Arizona Golf Hall of Fame.

A memorial service is scheduled for Thursday, December 10, 2015 at 1:00pm at Scottsdale Bible Mountain Valley Campus 17800 N. Perimeter Dr., with a reception to follow. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Paul's life. The family is asking to make donations in his name to one of the charitable organizations he supported: Salvation Army Christmas Angel Tree, St. Vincent de Paul Society, and Tee It Up For The Troops. Condolences can be sent to The Skelton Family at P.O. Box 800, Carefree, AZ 85377.

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Tributes ~ Condolences ~ Memories

“Mr. Skelton” I did sometimes call him Paul in private but it was usually “Mr. Skelton” kind of like the title “Chef” in our business he deserved respect. He would always refer to me as “Chef” but alone would call me “Ike”. I was lucky enough to work for him twice. I went to Skyline Country Club in 1982 and left in 1987 as Executive Sous Chef. Paul played a major role in developing me at the time in workplace maturity and discipline. He frequently referred to it as “having to hit me with a 2x4 every once in a while”. He was the reason you kept a rag in your hand at all times so if you spotted him you could “look busy”. I learned a lot from him on how to be professional and work for the team and not just myself all the time. He was very supportive for certification and advancements as well as our participation in food competitions. We had one of the most talented culinary teams at Skyline there has ever been in Arizona. When we went to the competition everyone on our team of seven, won medals, some of us two; in Hot Food competitions we always won gold medals. Issa and I always remember how Mr. Skelton would bang his hands on the table during plate up banquets telling us “let’s go!” When Paul started at Troon I applied for the Chef’s job, Mr. K gave a reference saying I wasn’t ready yet, so I took a chef’s job in Ocean City, Maryland. Two years into that Paul called me and offered me the chef job at Troon, at that time I wasn’t ready as I had a three-year commitment to open this restaurant. Two years later I moved to a country club in North Carolina. I only worked 7 months but got paid for the year, so I called Paul and offered myself to work for the winter in 1992. When I arrived at Troon I found the current chef had just quit and I was asked to be the chef through the holiday season. That led to a seven-year career at Troon. When offered the job permanently the chain of command along with menus ran through the assistant. I told Paul if I was going to ~David Eicher

“Gone From My Sight” I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side, spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other. Then, someone at my side says, "There, she is gone." Gone where? Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast, hull and spar as she was when she left my side. And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port. Her diminished size is in me -- not in her. And, just at the moment when someone says, "There, she is gone," there are other eyes watching her coming and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!" And that is dying... Henry Van Dyke Hasta que vea de nuevo mi hermano, via con Dios - Until I see you again my brother, go with God. ~Bill Skelton

I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living my dad you will be. xoxox ~Emily S.