David Ross Skillington

David Ross Skillington, age 83, a resident of Santa Fe, Tennessee, passed away on Saturday morning, December 9, 2023, at Maury Regional Medical Center.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, December 15, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Heritage Funeral Home with Keith Baker officiating. Following the service, he will be laid to rest in Santa Fe Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Thursday, December 14, 2023, from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at the funeral home. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Born on December 23, 1939, in Santa Fe, David was the son of the late Charlie Skillington and the late Lois Woody Skillington. He was a 1957 graduate of Santa Fe High School and attended Martin Methodist College and Middle Tennessee State College. He dedicated many years of his career as a comptroller for Maremont Gabriel in Pulaski, Tennessee and later as a financial analyst at Whirlpool in La Vergne, Tennessee before retiring.

David's deep-rooted passion was evident in his active involvement with Mule Day. He proudly served as the Mule Day Treasurer and was a respected member of the Maury County Bridle and Saddle Club, achieving recognition in the Mule Day Hall of Fame. Beyond his Mule Day contributions, David dedicated his time to the Maury County Senior Citizen Board, Maury County Park Board, and previously served as the Republican Chairman in Giles County for several years.

In his youth, David enjoyed golf and maintained a keen interest in sports, particularly as an enthusiastic fan of the Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators.

He is survived by his daughters, Leigh Skillington of Lynnville, TN, Jan (Steve) Carmichael of Murfreesboro, TN, step children, Elizabeth Mitchell of Las Vegas, NV, Davis Mitchell of Knoxville, TN, sister, Faye Bohannon of Santa Fe, TN, grandson, Steven Cole Carmichael of North Carolina, his beloved thirty-four-year-old Mule, Mary, and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Mary Elizabeth Skillington, and siblings, Rachel Fraser, John Robert Skillington, Dewey Skillington, Joe Frank Skillington, Minnie Ruth Skillington, and Ann Skillington.

Pallbearers will be Steve Carmichael, Ricky Skillington, Cole Carmichael, Joey Mills, Garrett Mills, and Michael Gilbert. Honorary pallbearers will include the past and present Mule Day Committee members.

The family requests memorial donations be made to Santa Fe Cemetery, c/o Mark Priest 3682 Raleigh Beard Road, Santa Fe, TN 38482.

The family wishes to extend a very special thank you to David’s sitter, Vickie Stewart, his home healthcare team, Patti, Suzanne, Vince, and Mary the mule’s caregiver, Ashley Posey.