James Skelton

James "Webb" Skelton, 83, of Russellville, Ark., died Thursday, July 25, 2002, at his home.

He was born Oct. 17, 1918, in Dover, Ark., son of James and Lillie Belle Guest Skelton. He and Myrtle Summers were married July 5, 1941, in North New Hope, Ark.

Skelton served with the medical detachment in the U.S. Army during World War II. He graduated from Arkansas State University in 1947.

He was a cook at the CCC Camp in Manstique, Mich., at the age of 16. He taught veterans agriculture in the Russellville and Dover school districts from 1947 to 1953. He then was a timber buyer with B&B Lumber and Mill Creek Lumber Co. in Tulsa, Okla., and at Bibler Brothers Lumber Co. in Russellville, retiring in 1984.

Skelton was a member of Fifth and Greenwich Church of Christ and served many years as a deacon and elder.

Survivors include his wife; a son, James Skelton of Tulsa; two daughters, Glenna Skelton of Cape Girardeau, Sandy Skelton of Coppell, Texas; and eight grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, two brothers, and eight sisters.

Friends may call at Humphrey Funeral Home in Russellville from 6 to 8 p.m. today.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with Travis Sweet officiating. Burial will be in Howard Cemetery.