Ronald Skeen Obituary

Ronald Skeen

February 25, 1935 -

October 16, 2024

Ronald Lee Skeen, age 89, of Ewing, Virginia passed away surrounded by his family on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. He was born on February 25, 1935 in Harrogate, TN.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Carol Penn Skeen, Ewing, VA; grandson, Collin Alexander Skeen and wife Diana Jean Skeen, of Lafayette, CA; granddaughter, Hunter Katherine King and husband Air Force Captain Bradley Wayne King, and great-grandchildren Oaklyn, Odin, and Tilian King of Mustang, OK. His son, Jerry Ronald Skeen, passed away in 2009.

Ronald graduated from Powell Valley High School in Tennessee then went on to receive his Bachelor's Degree in Education from Lincoln Memorial University, where he met his life-long partner Carol, in 1956. He later earned a Master's Degree from Union College.

He devoted 35 years of his life to education, spending most of his career as a teacher, coach, and athletic director at Thomas Walker High School in Ewing, VA. While he coached a number of sports including cross country and baseball, his success with basketball brought considerable attention to Southwest Virginia and he finished his career holding the title of Virginia's winningest basketball coach with a 528-232 record.

Ronald was a man committed to both his family and community. In addition to the influence he had on his students and athletes, much of his legacy came from his kind interactions with others. A stranger to no one, you could often find him post-retirement loafing around the Tri-State area with a smile on his face-always happy to talk about local sports, University of Tennessee athletics, and his interest in classic cars and Mustangs.

If there was one thing that meant more to him than anything else, it was his wife Carol. As committed and loving partners, they spent their many decades together teaching at Thomas Walker, traveling across the south for car shows, and raising their family. Until the very end, they stood side-by-side, never wavering in their love for one another. He will be greatly missed by his family and all those he impacted.