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TRYON — On Tuesday, September 20, 2022, Gerald Lee Skelcy, loving husband, devoted father and grandfather, passed away at the age of 84 from a lengthy illness.

 

Gerry was born on January 23, 1938 in Saginaw Michigan to Floyd and Ruth Skelcy. He graduated from Arthur Hill Trade School and went on to enlist in the United States Air Force. 

 

He spent 20 years in the Air Force stationed all over the world. This led him to England where he met and married the love of his life Jean. While serving in the Air Force as an Aircraft Maintenance Technician he did two yearlong deployments to Vietnam.  He was very proud to serve his country and has always supported the military. After retiring from the Air Force, he started a second career as an Ironworker. He would work on many of the shipping cranes at the Port of Charleston and helped to build the BMW plant in Greer.  As a third career he was the owner of Lake Lanier County Cottage Antique Mall and a supporter of his wife Jean’s real estate business.

 

Gerry loved working with his hands, there was nothing he couldn’t repair or build. He used these skills to renovate many homes in the Tryon area and traveled to help his daughters with their home projects. He was a quiet man known for a strong work ethic, steadfastness, his sense of humor, reliability and kindness.

 

Gerry was preceded in death by his father Floyd, his mother Ruth and his sister Marsha. He is survived by his wife Jean of 58 years, his daughters Nicola (Kevin), Joanne (James), Andrea (Scott), his grandchildren, Damian, Amanda, Matthew, Ashley, Andrew, Benjamin, Molly, great-grandson, Brayden, his sisters Connie and Diane (David), sister in laws Maureen, Margaret (Tony), Shirley and Tina and several nieces and nephews.

 

A celebration of life will be held at the family home on October 29, 2022.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Outreach Ministry – PO Box 834, Columbus, NC 28722.  http://www.tboutreach.org/send-gifts-by-mail-or-online.html

 

An online guest register is available at mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com

 

McFarland Funeral Chapel & Crematory

Tryon, North Carolina