Hiram Bowmer Skelton Jr.

Hiram Bowmer (H.B.) Skelton Jr., a beloved and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend, passed away from cancer on May 28, 2019. H.B. was born on December 24, 1928 to Hiram Bowmer Skelton and Zelda Shackelford Skelton in Groom, Texas. He spent his younger life in the Texas Panhandle, living in Groom, Claude and Panhandle. He found his love of photography when he was 8, taking stunning photos of a dust storm with his Kodak Brownie camera. He excelled in school, both academically (student council, journalism and top of his class), and in athletics, playing football and as a member of the track and tennis teams. Beginning at age 16, he worked for the Dept. of Agriculture and as a Deputy Sheriff of Carson County. His father began Skelton Brothers Theatre partnership, which expanded from the Panhandle to Gatesville and Temple and for a period of time H.B. managed The Loop Drive-in in Temple. H.B. met and married Nine Mae Comer in 1950 and in 1951 their daughter, Vicki was born. They lived in Panhandle for a few years, then H.B. decided to continue his college education in Austin, where he proudly graduated from The University of Texas in 1958 with a degree in Sociology. Upon graduating he went to work for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals as a sales rep, and the family moved first to San Antonio then to Tulsa, where in 1961 their second daughter, Cynthia was born. In 1963 the family moved to Waco. In 1968, H.B. began working for the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles as a Parole Officer retiring in 1995 as a highly respected Regional Director over 28+ counties. Throughout his career, H.B. was known across Texas and beyond as a dedicated, intelligent, caring and compassionate leader who was respected and loved by those who worked alongside him. In 1988, Nina passed away after a long illness. He continued to live and work in Waco until 1991, when he moved to Austin. In 1997, he married Anna Rose Tangredi and adopted Nicholas, a joyous blessing to his family. He always referred to Nicholas as “Tiger” and coached his little league team, never missing a practice or game. H.B.’s love of photography never left him, and he became a master. He began developing his photos in a small bathroom, advancing with technology to become proficient at digital photography, taking beautiful photos throughout his life. An amazing sequence of photos of an eagle’s nest at Lake Buchanan, from mating through the hatching of eggs, was sent to Texas Parks and Wildlife and published on their website. Everywhere he went his camera was by his side. H.B. also spent countless enjoyable hours fishing in many bodies of water, Lake Buchanan being his favorite. He taught himself to make flies for fly-fishing, a love he got from his father and grandfather. H.B. loved grilling in his backyard, and could smoke a brisket or turkey to perfection. Camping was a big part of H.B., Anna and Nicholas’s lives. They traveled for 6 weeks along the east coast visiting the 9-11 site, making their way into Canada and coming back through Niagra Falls. Thanksgiving and Christmas were very special times for the Skelton family with the loving blended family bringing him smiles and happiness throughout his life. The University of Texas held a very special place in H.B.’s heart; he had his season tickets to the football games for over 40 years. When each of his daughters were young, he taught them the art of “watching” UT games not in Austin on the radio, using his yellow legal pad to mark every play. All three of his children attended their first UT game when only months old. Through the years, H.B.’s contagious love for The University of Texas and UT football spread among his family and continues to this day. H.B. loved his family above all else. H.B. was extremely proud of his heritage as a Mayflower double descendant. He loved talking about family history, smiling and laughing about his amazing life. His stories were endless. H.B. is preceded in death by his mother and father, and his first wife Nina. He is survived by his wife, Anna Rose of Austin, daughter Vicki Perrin and husband Gerald of Lago Vista, daughter Cindy Wallace and husband Terry of Georgetown, son Nicholas Skelton-Tangredi and partner Kelsey Wagner of Manor, grandchildren Tricia Frazier, Roy Bowmer Wallace and wife Taylor, and Bethany Wallace, great-grandchildren Curt and Jake Frazier, Addison, Jaxon, and Stetson Wallace, brother Roland and wife Gail of Houston, brother Joe Frank and wife Deanna of Bellevue, Colorado and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Services will be held on June 15th, 1p at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 14311 WellsPort Dr., Austin Tx 78728. The family would like to thank oncologists Dr. Nataji and Dr. Nuesch for the dedicated care they provided to H.B. and his family. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to Austin Hospice, 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Suite 100 Austin, Texas 78759, or www.hospiceaustin.org,

Hiram Bowmer Skelton Jr.

December 24, 1928 - May 25, 2019