Thomas Gregory Skinner III, September 4

By Submitted Story on September 9, 2023

Thomas Gregory Skinner III, age 101, passed away peacefully with family by his side on September, 4th. He was born on January 20, 1922 in Elizabeth City, NC, the third child of Julia Wood Skinner and William Palin Skinner.

During his youth in Elizabeth City, Tom was active in Boy Scouts and also served as an acolyte at Christ Episcopal Church. He spent most summers at Nags Head with his family. He attended Virginia Episcopal School in Lynchburg, VA. Following high school, he attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. There he was a member of Zeta Psi fraternity. At the close of his sophomore year at UNC, the war clouds had gathered in Europe and he joined the U.S. Army participating in several major European campaigns including the “Battle of the Bulge.”

Following the end of World War II, Tom resumed his studies at Chapel Hill. He studied Business Administration, was on the UNC Wrestling team and graduated in 1947. He also met his future wife, Alice Roberson Skinner at the Nags Head Casino during this time and they were inseparable for 77 years.

Tom worked for Western Electric, Radio Corporation of America and the L.S. Ayres company. He returned to his boyhood home in Elizabeth City in 1967 where he ran the Cliff Ward Insurance Agency. Tom served on the Christ Episcopal Church Vestry, the Elizabeth City Hospital Board, Boy Scouts of America Regional Council, Rotary International, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and as a member of The Virginia Episcopal School Board. He spent as much time as possible at Nags Head, finally moving there permanently in 2000. He loved swimming in the ocean, having coffee with friends at McDonalds and going to parties with his wife, Alice. He was a kind, humorous, gentle and loving son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather. He was curious about the people and things around him and passed that gift to his son and grandson.

Tom was predeceased by his parents, wife and his brother and sisters, William Palin Skinner, Jr., Julia Wood Skinner and Jesse Skinner Gaither. He is survived by his son; Thomas Gregory Skinner IV and his wife Betty Harmon; and his grandson Thomas Gregory Skinner V.

The family would like to thank Transitions Life Care Hospice of Wake County for their loving care during his final days. A private graveside service is planned at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Hertford, NC where Tom will be interred along with his wife, Alice.

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