Dr. Roland Skelton (aka Roland, Dad, Papa)

Dr. Roland Skelton, O.D. (92), of Houston, Texas, while in the presence of his family, was peacefully called home to his eternal rest on April 12, 2024, sixty-one years after being united with Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior, in baptism.

Born to Hiram and Zelma Skelton, Roland is survived by his wife, Gail, his three children, Lynn and his wife Sandy, Kathryn, Mark, his grandson, Cade (son of Mark), and his brother Joe. Roland was predeceased by his parents and his brother HB.

Roland's life was a testament to his faith in God and his appreciation for life and its simple pleasures, each being expressed through his unwavering love for his family, his strong but humble spirit, his profound respect for others, and his enduring gratitude for the countless blessings he received from his Heavenly Father.

His heart of gratitude expressed itself through his charitable and generous spirit by helping those where he could and professionally donating his optometric services to the Lions Club and to kids within the Texas Juvenile Justice Department in Giddings.

Roland felt at home among various congregations over the course of his lifetime as he served within them and befriended members. Within the last few years of his life, he found a home at Champions Church of Christ, where he quickly befriended various members and helped newcomers that he met feel welcome.

Roland sought to embrace each moment of life with joy and contentment whether it was fishing, supporting his kids in their school activities, coaching little league baseball, or spending time on the beach with his family and friends. His strength of character was exemplified in that whenever life threw him a curveball, he faced it head-on, including fighting cancer and surviving it.

Among his accomplishments in life, he served in the U.S. Navy upon the USS Lake Champlain aircraft carrier, an experience he enjoyed talking about. He also earned a BBA from Baylor University and a Doctor of Optometry from the University of Houston, an accomplishment he was very proud of. The greatest accomplishment that he was most proud of was his family.

As we bid farewell to Dr Skelton, we honor the legacy he leaves behind—his love for his family and a legacy of faith lived out in kindness and generosity toward others and a deep reverence for the tapestry of life. His memory will continue to inspire those who were fortunate enough to have known him, and his light will shine on through the love he shared with his family, friends, and all those he encountered.

May our Heavenly Father fill the hearts of all those who mourn his passing with memories of love shared and with His compassion, peace, and love in the days ahead.

Rest in peace, Roland, Dad, Papa. Your life was a blessing and your memory a treasure to us all. We love you beyond words can express and we will miss you beyond measure while also rejoicing and finding comfort in knowing you are now in the presence of our Lord and God for all eternity and that one day we will meet you there!

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To all who wish to attend… Viewing and Memorial Services will be held at Klein Funeral Home – Champions (16131 Champion Forest Dr., Klein, Texas 77379 - Phone: (281) 320-2674) per below…

· Viewing – Thursday – 4/18/2024 at 2 pm.

· Memorial Service – Friday – 4/19/2024 at 2 pm – attire – brightly colored clothes which he enjoyed seeing people wear.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The Wounded Warriors' Project https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

and/or St. Jude's Childrens' Research Hospital in his name. https://www.stjude.org/