Brent Thomas Skillman • Age: 63 • Arlington, TX
Brent Thomas Skillman of Arlington passed away while surrounded by his family on Sunday evening, July 28, 2013. He was 63 years old. Funeral: 11 a.m. Thursday at Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Interment: Moore Memorial Gardens. Visitation 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the North Chapel at Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Memorials: Donations may be made in Brent’s honor to Catholic Charities of Fort Worth. Brent was born on Sept. 14, 1949, in Dallas to William and Rubagene Skillman. Brent graduated from Grand Prairie High School in 1967 and was a proud Grand Prairie Gopher, he then went on to attend the University of Texas at Arlington where he was awarded a bachelor’s of science in psychology. He was a letterman in baseball and pledged the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, developing many rich and long-lasting friendships. He met and married the former Judy Devine to whom he was married for 35 years. In 1974 Brent founded Fun n Sun Pools, which has grown to be one of the most successful commercial pool businesses in the nation. Brent was a committed member of Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church where he taught catechism for many years. Brent was an avid golfer, and loved to spend time with friends and family at his home at Horseshoe Bay. Brent was a man of strong faith and great kindness. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, and a loyal friend whose generosity, kindness, and sense of humor inspired and enriched the lives of everyone he met. He will be greatly missed. Special thanks to the wonderful staff at the St. Paul University Hospital CVICU and the Arlington Memorial Hospital ICU, especially Drs. Kemp Kernstine and Charles Deur. Survivors: Brent is survived by his beloved wife, Judy; son, Scout and wife, Katy; son, Kelly and wife, Janie; and daughter, Jessica and husband, Andrew. His three granddaughters will arrive in the fall of 2013. He is also survived by his brother, Bill Skillman; sisters, Ellen Sublett and Cindy Hill; and numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.
Published in Star-Telegram on July 31, 2013