Dr. Eugene "Zeke" Skidmore

Dr. Eugene “ Zeke” Skidmore, 89, of College Station, passed away Saturday, February 12,
2022, at his home with his family. A Celebration of Life will begin at 2pm Saturday,
February 19, 2022, at Callaway-Jones Funeral Center in Bryan, with Certified Life
Celebrant, Dawn Lee Wakefield, officiating. A reception with light refreshments will
follow in the Pecan Room at Callaway-Jones.

Zeke was born June 4, 1932, in Des Moines, Iowa, to parents Thomas and Evelyn
Skidmore. He was preceded in death by his precious wife of 61 years, Shirley, his
parents, brother Warren and sister Becky. He is survived by his cousin Shirley
McCormick; daughters and sons-in-law Gena and CJ Viator and Michelle and Michael
Lee; grandchildren, Zachary James Viator, Payton Noel Steelman and husband Scott,
Shane Thomas Lee and wife Sara, Tara Brooke Lee; great grandchildren, Luna Michelle
Lee and Ariel Fay Lee.

If you knew Zeke, you knew he loved his family. He was always bragging about his
kids, grandkids and great grandkids. Family was important to him and loved spending
time with his family and extended families. He met his wife of 61 years on a blind date
and married in 1957. They lived their first years in Germany, but made their home in the
Ft Worth area. He loved to travel and the beach. He and Shirley traveled the world in
their years together. From Europe to Mexico, they loved discovering new places and
making new friends on the way.

He was also a well-respected veterinarian in Texas. He is a lifetime member of the
Texas Veterinary Medical Association. He served as the President and Chairman of the
Board (twice) and sat on the Board for 10 years. He earned the 2002 Distinguished
Career Award. He was a lifetime member of the Tarrant County VMA and held every
office including President in 1981. He was instrumental in the regulation of pari-mutuel
horse racing in Texas.

Zeke was very involved in Texas A&M’s College of Veterinary Medicine and earned the
distinction of Outstanding Alumnus in 2012. He is an honorary member of the TVMA,
Honor Roll member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 4H and
FFA Honorary Chapter Farmer, TAMU Mark Francis Fellow, member of the Former
Students Association Century Club, member of George Bush Museum and Library
Foundation and named on the Wall of Honor, 2019 Honoree at the Ft. Worth/Tarrant
County Animal Foundation golf tournament for his lifetime achievements and an Aggie
through and through.

His love of animals began as a kid. He learned to ride horses as a teen when his family
moved to El Paso. This turned into rodeoing, calf roping and bronc riding. He was also a
rodeo clown. He was in Texas A&M class of 1954 where he was in the Corps of Cadets
and the Fish Drill team. He was an exceptional student and graduated from veterinary
school in 1956. After graduation, he entered the U.S. Army and served in the veterinary
Corps in Germany. He later practiced large and small animal medicine in north Texas.

Zeke had an exciting and interesting life. If you knew him, you were fortunate. He was
charming, funny, silly, sweet, light hearted, and wise. He never met a stranger and never
let a negative thought leave his mouth.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Tarrant County Veterinary
Association Endowed Scholarship Fund. To contribute, make checks payable to Texas
A&M Foundation: Pledge #3137607 in memo. Mail check to Texas A&M Foundation,
401 George Bush Drive, College Station, TX 77840-2811 or visit www.giving.tamu.edu.

Express condolences online at CallawayJones.com.