Arthur W. Skewes

SERVICES: 10:30 AM Monday, April 5, 2010, at First Christian Church, with Rev. Roy King, interim pastor, officiating.BURIAL: Graveside services will be at 3:00 PM Monday, April 5, 2010, at Fairmont Cemetery in Follett, under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.BIOGRAPHY: Mr. Skewes was born September 26, 1910 in Moab, Utah, the second of five children of John Billings and Lydia Taylor Skewes. He graduated from high school in Moab and attended the University of Utah for one year. He returned to Moab where he met and married Lorene Parker, a young school teacher from Texas, on November 26, 1930 in Moab. She preceded him in death in 1992. They moved to Pampa in 1933. He went to work for Cabot, living in several camps. He was involved in the construction of Pantex. During World War II, he was a civilian electrician at the Army Air Force base near Dalhart. He returned to work for Cabot until returning to Pampa in 1951 to go to work for Celanese Corporation.After retiring, Art and Lorene toured the United States on bus trips. A highlight was attending a performance of Lawrence Welk and dancing to his music. Art loved music of all kinds. He was an avid fisherman and gardener, and got pleasure from watching his purple martins each spring.Art was an active member of First Christian Church in Guymon, Oklahoma, and Pampa. He served as a deacon and attended the Builders Sunday School class. He was on the property department and sang in the choir for years. He was active in the Biscuit Ministry. He volunteered for the Good Samaritan Christian Services, Meals on Wheels and drove the van for Genesis House. He was on the board of directors of Pampa Senior Citizens Center. He was a supporter of Pampa Community Concert Association. Art was a member of the Top O' Texas Masonic Lodge #1381 AF & AM for over 50 years.Art was preceded in death by a brother, Jack Skewes; his sisters, Elaine Peterson, Madge Duncan and Deone Skewes; a great-grandson, Ryan Avalos; and son-in-law, David Holt.SURVIVORS: two daughters: Ardyth Atkins and husband Jim, and Linda Holt, all of Pampa; a son: Blaine Skewes and wife Susan of El Dorado, Kansas; four granddaughters: Mary Ann Mayer and husband Joe of Guymon, Oklahoma, Ellen Skewes and Carol Skewes, both of Baytown, and Susanna Cutrone and husband Chris of Austin; two grandsons: John Atkins of Hardesty, Oklahoma, and David Parker Holt and wife Jennifer of Austin; ten great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren. MEMORIALS: Pampa Senior Citizens Center, P.O. Box 475, Pampa, Texas 79066-0475, Pampa Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 939, Pampa, Texas 79066-0939, or a charity of your choice.