Michael Skidmore

Michael O'Connell Skidmore, 76, of Charlotte, passed away at home Sunday, January 10, 2021.

Mike was born January 29, 1944 in Albemarle to the late James McHugh Skidmore, Sr. and the late Rose Elizabeth Fry Skidmore.

He was a graduate of the Albemarle High School class of ’62 and later attended Montreat College.  Mike was a gregarious man who enjoyed brightening someone’s day, especially the wait staff at his favorite local restaurants, with jokes and stories.  He had a career in data processing in the bank industry and retired from Allstate Insurance.  Mike was a man of strong faith and long time member of Plaza Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder, sang in the choir, and enjoyed being part of hands-on mission projects, such as Room at the Inn and preparing meals for fellowship events.  He was a life member of Optimist Club International, where he proudly served in various local and statewide leadership roles; including being named Distinguished Lieutenant Governor for North Carolina.  The personal impact the club made on the youth they serve was particularly meaningful to him.  Mike was an avid hunter and fisherman since the days of his youth.  He was a member of the South Iredell Hunt Club, where he especially enjoyed cooking meals for the club and is the sole recipient of a trophy for harvesting his own truck.  Many weekends, especially during the Month of March, he could be found rooting for the North Carolina Tar Heels basketball team.  But most of all, he dearly loved spending time with his family, particularly sharing his love for scouting and the outdoors with his daughter, son-in-law, and grandsons.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 52 years, Claudette P. Skidmore of Charlotte, NC; daughter, Jennifer Skidmore-Breece and husband, Scott Breece, of Annandale, VA; grandsons, Camden and Ryley; sister, Sara Bowman of Newport News, VA; brother, James "Jim" Skidmore, Jr. and wife, Jean, of Montreat, NC; several nieces and nephews, and his beloved cat, Molly.

Mike will be laid to rest at the Montreat Memorial Garden during a private committal service.  A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Mike's memory to the Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina, PO Box 127, Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450 (boysandgirlshomes.org/donate) or NC Wildlife Resources Commission, 1702 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC  27699 (ncwildlife.org/donate).

Hartsell Funeral Home of Harrisburg is serving the Skidmore family.