B.R. Skelton

B.R. Skelton, husband of Vickie R. Skelton, of Clemson, passed away on July 21, 2025. He was born on January 21, 1933, to the late B.C. and Hattie Vaughn Skelton.

B.R. grew up in Clemson. He graduated from Calhoun-Clemson High School and went on to receive his BS in 1956 and MS in Agricultural Economics in 1958 from Clemson University. B.R. graduated with a PhD in Economics from Duke University in 1964.

After graduating from Duke, B.R. returned to begin teaching Economics at Clemson University. He retired in 1987 as an Emeritus Professor of Economics. B.R. was a member of Tiger Brotherhood and faculty advisor to Kappa Alpha fraternity.

After retirement in 1987, he began his second career as an Arbitrator/Mediator. He was nationally recognized and invited to join the prestigious National Academy of Arbitrators in 1981. He continued this career until he decided to run for state office in 2002. He was elected to the SC House of Representatives representing the Clemson, Central, Six Mile areas. He served from 2002-2014.

B.R. devoted almost 40 years of his life to public service beginning with his tenure on the Clemson City Council in the 1970s and continuing to his service in the SC House. B.R. served on Pickens County Planning Commission. He was Chair of Alliance Pickens, Chair of PC Transportation C Fund Committee, Chair of the PC Commerce Park Subcommittee.

In the SC House, he served on the Education and Ways and Means Committees. He was appointed to various committees during his tenure, including the Property Tax Study Committee, Lt. Governor’s Committee on Aging, Retirement System Ad Hoc Study Committee.

B.R. was the first recipient of the Clemson University Board of Visitors Legislative Leadership award in 2011. Clemson was always dear to B.R. He was called “Clemson’s lobbyist in the House” by his legislative colleagues because of his unwavering support of the University.

B.R. also played an active role in supporting Helping Hands of Clemson, a local shelter for abused and neglected children. He served as Chairman of the Board for many years. Through his efforts over 20 years, he helped raise over $1 million dollars for Helping Hands.

B.R. was also a real estate broker and developer. He developed Sedgefield subdivision, University Ridge condos, Foy Creek townhomes and College Place shopping center.

B.R. was a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Clemson. He grew up trout fishing in the streams of Oconee County with his grandad. Those were the memories that had the most impact on B.R. He would recount all the lessons of life he learned from his grandad during those trips.

B.R. loved to play golf. Everyone who knew him knew he could most likely be found on a golf course. He had a special group of friends that had an annual golf tournament either in Amelia Island or San Antonio and he looked forward to that every year.

After B.R. and Vickie moved to Six Mile in 1995, he became a founding member of the Grumpy Old Men coffee group. Lasting friendships were made, and many issues were debated. It became a special group of friends for him.

B.R. always said he had lived a full life, which he did. He touched many lives and hoped he left this world a little better.

B.R. is survived by his wife of 35 years, Vickie; his sons Will Skelton (Meg) of Sedalia, CO and John Skelton of Statesboro, GA; brothers Tom Skelton of Clemson, B.J. Skelton (Lynn) of Six Mile; sister Betty S. Crick of Augusta, GA; and grandson, Jack Skelton of Macon, GA.

In addition to his parents, B.R. is preceded in death by his daughters, Ginger Skelton, and Dana S. Winslette, brother Don Skelton.

Visitation will be held on August 6, 2025 at 1:00pm in the chapel of Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home in Central, SC. Memorial service will follow at 2:00pm. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Helping Hands of Clemson, P.O. Box 561, Clemson, SC 29633.

Please visit Robinsonfuneralhomes.com or Duckett - Robinson Funeral Home & Crematory, Central, SC.