April 1, 2002
Former HSU President Skiles dead at 89
___By Charles Richardson
___Hardin-Simmons University
___ABILENE--Elwin Lloyd Skiles, who served as president of Hardin-Simmons University from 1966 to 1977 and was pastor of First Baptist Church of Abilene for 13 years, died March 22 at Hendrick Medical Center.
___Funeral services were held Sunday, March 24, at First Baptist Church. Burial followed March 25 at Elmwood Memorial Park.
___"Dr. Skiles was a dynamic force in Texas Baptist life for more than three decades, and his impact on Hardin-Simmons University andits students is incalculable," said HSU President Craig Turner. "His life was characterized by the Scripture he loved to quote: 'This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.'"
ELWIN SKILES
___"Dr. Skiles was an outstanding and exemplary Christian leader whose influence was significant in our state, nation and world," added Chancellor Lanny Hall. "He will long be remembered as an articulate communicator and effective administrator who modeled dignity and high character in all of his endeavors."
___A native of Callahan County, Skiles was born June 15, 1912, in the Scranton community, the only child of Mr. and Mrs. A.I. Skiles and grandson of a prominent early West Texas Baptist preacher, George W. Parks.
___At the age of three months, Skiles first became an Abilenian when his parents moved to the city in the fall of 1912 so that his late father could continue his education at Simmons College, now HSU. Skiles' father eventually graduated from Draughon's Business College.
___Skiles graduated from Cisco High School in 1930 and attended HSU from 1930 to 1932. From 1932 to 1935, he attended Baylor University in Waco, receiving a bachelor of arts degree in 1934 and a master of arts degree the following year. ?
___He had determined by the time he finished high school that he would enter the ministry and was ordained by the First Baptist Church of Cisco in 1933.
___Skiles attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., earning the master of theology and doctor of philosophy degrees in 1938 and 1941.
___In 1938, he married Ruth Kinder of Homer, La., a student whom he met at Baylor. She received a bachelor's degree from Baylor in 1937.
___During World War II, Skiles served as a Navy chaplain. Over a period of 25 years, he served as pastor of Baptist churches in Russellville, Ky.; Richmond, Va.; Georgetown, Ky.; Pensacola, Fla.; and Abilene.
___During Skiles' presidency at HSU, the physical appearance of the campus was changed drastically. New buildings constructed included the Sid Richardson Science Center, the Mabee Military Science Building, the president's home on Cedar Street, the Cowboy Band Hall, Woodward-Dellis Recital Hall, Rupert and Pauline Richardson Library, maintenance building and warehouse, and the Central Heating and Air Conditioning Plant. Funds also were raised for the Mabee Physical Education-Health-Athletic Complex. Other improvements included the Brand Swimming Pool and Recreation Area, the Streich Tennis Center and a new baseball field.
___Skiles also served as a trustee of Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene, trustee chairman at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, trustee of both the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board and Sunday School Board.
___In Texas Baptist life, he served as chairman of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Program Coordinating Committee and as vice chairman of the BGCT Executive Board. In 1995, he was named an Elder Statesman by the Independence Baptist Association.
___Skiles was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, in 1983, a son, Elwin (Win) Skiles Jr., in 2001; and his parents. He is survived by two daughters, Ann McGinty and Sarah Zachry, both of Houston, and five grandchildren.
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