Michael R. Skelton

Michael Ray Skelton - Lover of Tanks, Forever Fan of Tony Stewart, and Reluctant Wearer of Levi's - Has Logged Off for the Final Time

Born August 9, 1966, Michael lived a life full of passion, sarcasm, and the right amount of grumpiness. He spent 30 years putting up with (and loving) his wife since they met in 1995, proving that even the most stubborn men can find their person.

A man of contradictions, he looked like he'd start a bar fight (and has a time or two) but would rather debate Star Wars lore. He was a motorcycle lover who never owned a bike, a history buff who could school you on World War II or the Civil War, and a video game enthusiast who had been playing World of Warcraft pretty much since its release in 2004. But nothing quite matched his love for World of Tanks-where he spent countless hours meticulously strategizing, blowing up enemy tanks, and proving once and for all that the best way to spend an evening was behind the controls of a virtual war machine.

Baseball was another love of his, particularly a player named Odor-pronounced Oh-door or Oh-dewr, though his wife never let him forget the alternative pronunciation. And when it came to NASCAR, his allegiance was unshakable: Tony Stewart, and no one else.

His sense of style never changed-Wranglers for life (until his wife tricked him into Levi's), black t-shirts, tattoos covering his arms, and long hair that stayed with him for as long as anyone can remember despite a fleeting moment of madness when he considered cutting it off. He hated change but loved adventure, enjoying every trip they took together.

Most importantly, he was someone you could always count on-whether you needed help fixing something, an obscure history fact, or just a good laugh. He was always willing to lend a hand, share what he knew, and loved to entice laughs with a well-placed dad joke.

If you do not wish to send flowers, his wife suggests donations be made to a local animal shelter as he did love his cats, or, in true World of Tanks fashion, by simply causing virtual mayhem in his honor.

And finally, in his own spirit: Why don't skeletons fight each other? Because they don't have the guts.

Visitation, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM, Wednesday, March 5, 2025, Brosang Family Funeral & Cremation Services, 13437 Hwy 110 S., Tyler, Texas 75707.