Former longtime Abilene Christian University trustee Kay (Coleman ’62) Skelton, 85, died March 12, 2025, in Denison, Texas. She was born Jan. 16, 1940, in Abilene, Texas, to Ann and A.M. “Tonto” Coleman Jr. (’28), who was ACU head football coach and later, commissioner of the Southeastern Conference.

She earned a B.A. degree in mass communication and married classmate Don Skelton, D.D.S. (’63). She coached speech and debate teams at Abilene Cooper High School until Don entered Texas A&M College of Dentistry. They lived in Denver, Colorado, while he was serving in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, then returned to Texas where Don began a dentistry practice.

An avid volunteer in the Denison community, she coached a T-ball team and in 1984, became the first woman to serve as president of the school district’s athletics booster club. She taught Bible classes for nearly five decades at Park Avenue Church of Christ, and led a highly popular women’s study group for years.

At ACU, Skelton was a trustee for 15 years (2006-21) and a member of the University Council. She was recognized with the state’s Friend of Education award by the Texas State Teachers Association and received a similar honor for the Red River area by international education society Phi Delta Kappa. She was founding president of the Denison Education Foundation and served seven years on the Texoma Health Foundation, including two terms as president.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Mark Skelton (’92); and a sister, Nancy (Coleman ’66) Blair. Among survivors are Don, her husband of 62 years; a son, Scott Skelton (’89); three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.