John Keith Skelley

John Keith Skelley, 87, of Mt. Pleasant, SC, and formerly of Atlanta, GA, died peacefully on Tuesday, February 8, 2011, at the Hospice Center of Charleston in Mt. Pleasant, SC.  He was born in Boise City, Oklahoma on August 3, 1923.  Keith was the son of the late John and Martha Finch Skelley.  His father was a rancher and cattle buyer, and his mother ran Skelley's Mercantile in Cebolla, New Mexico.  He was preceded in death by his parents, twin brother, Kenneth, younger sister, Kathryn, the love of his life, his first wife, Rose, and his sweet second wife, Carolyn Margeson Skelley. He graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1948 with a BS degree in Business Administration.  In 1949, he graduated from the Purdue School of Insurance and Marketing. Keith served four years in the United States Marine Corps during World War II as a radar instructor.  He was a corporal upon leaving the Marine Corps. Keith spent most of his professional life in the insurance industry, starting with New York Life and Lincoln National Life Insurance in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  In 1955, he moved to Joplin, Missouri as Vice-President of Sales and Director for Financial Reserve Life Insurance Company.  In 1959, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia as Superintendent of Agencies, Georgia International Life Insurance Company, along with Director of Abbey Life of London, England.  In 1967, he became President and Director of Great International Life Insurance Company of New York, New York.  In 1969, he became President of Georgia International Securities Company.  In 1972, he formed Secura Corporation and became President and Chairman of the Board.  He later merged Secura with Integon Mortgage Guaranteed Corporation. Mr. Skelley was a member of Cherokee Town & Country Club for many years.  He was an avid golfer and formed many life long friendships on the golf course.  A favorite pastime was watching his home team, the Atlanta Braves.  He was a Mason and a member of the Republican Party.  Throughout his adult life, he believed in the concept of the free market system and was an enthusiastic investor in the financial markets. The joy of Keith's life was his family.  He was kind, loving, and generous; a true gentleman in every way. He is survived by his daughter, Lisa Skelley-Altman and her husband, Clinton, of Mt. Pleasant, SC; his step-son William David Brown of Flowery Branch, GA; his son William George Skelley and wife, Nancy, of Richmond Hill, GA; four grandsons Taylor, Austin, Connor, and Parker and one great-grandson, Mason. The memorial service will be private and scheduled at a later date. Donations can be made to his favorite charity, The American Red Cross, 1955 Monroe Dr. NE Atlanta, GA  30324.  A memorial message may be written to the family by visiting the www.ajc.com website or the funeral home website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.