John Stuart Skelton, Sr.

John Stuart Skelton, Sr. peacefully passed away the evening of November 27, 2024, at Greenville Memorial Hospital after a prolonged illness. He was born on June 25, 1958, in Spartanburg to W. Paul Skelton, Jr. and Nancy Skelton, and lived in Spartanburg for most of his life. 

He graduated from Spartanburg High School in 1976, and excelled in academics, especially science. His love of the natural world and helping others led him to pursue a degree in Zoology from Clemson University, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1980 and subsequently entering the Medical University of South Carolina, graduating in 1984 as a Doctor of Medicine (MD). During his last year of medical school, he met his future wife, Sherri Williams Skelton, marrying in 1984. 

After receiving his MD, he completed his Internal Medicine residency at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga, TN. A board-certified physician, he had numerous roles over the years, but his greatest calling was providing his patients with the best care possible, using his intellect and compassion to save lives and improve qualities of life along the way. His patients would describe him as a doctor who would take time to listen to their concerns, and frequently follow up with them to ensure that their health was on the best path to the most optimal outcome. Most of his patients considered him a friend, and he frequently treated multiple generations of the same family due to his conscientiousness and empathy. 

His successful career in medicine was eclipsed by his role as a father and grandfather (“Papa”) over the years. First, as a father to three children who cherished his often goofy, but never corny sense of humor. Laughter was the most common sound in the family home as they grew up, and the memories of all the jokes, gags, pranks, and one-liners still linger there. His most favorite activities were road trips, usually to the beach, as well as hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where on the weekends he could most likely be found. He mostly enjoyed being outdoors, and was a true animal lover, a testament to his caring nature. He also cherished his six grandchildren, retiring from Medicine shortly after the first was born to spend as much time and spoiling them as much as possible. He also loved watching Clemson football and spent an innumerable number of Saturdays watching them win and lose over the years either in the stands or on a solid wooden console TV. 

He is pre-deceased by his mother, his father, and his wife of 38 years, Sherri. He is survived by two sons, John Jr. (Laura) and William (Emily), both of Dallas, TX, as well as a daughter, Jessica (Javier) of Greenville, SC. He is survived by his grandchildren: Ian, Aria, Austin, Liam, Carys, and Conrad, as well as many other loving family members. 

A visitation will be held Wednesday, December 4, 2024, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM at Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel, located at 2075 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29307. 

A memorial service will be held on December 5, 2024, at 2:00 PM at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, located at 1300 Fernwood-Glendale Road, Spartanburg, SC 29307. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, or a charity of your choice. 

Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel