Raleigh Ross Skaggs, Sr., 89 years of age, passed away peacefully on March 5th, 2024.

Raleigh is survived by his children, Raleigh Ross, Jr. “Sonny” Skaggs, Celeste Ann Skaggs Dunham and husband Chester, Steven Anthony “Tony” Skaggs and wife Melanie, along with his grandchildren Derek Ross Dunham, Angela Laurell Kirkland, Erin Leigh Dunham, Grace Spencer Pereyra, and Grant Spencer Skaggs. He also leaves behind great-grandchildren Jase and River Dunham.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Laurell Marie Hilbig Skaggs, his parents, Garland and Gladys Skaggs, his brother, Reginald “Bubba” Skaggs, his sister Lillian “Tootsie” Skaggs Trester, and two infant children, Garland Eugene Skaggs and Luci Ann Skaggs.

Raleigh was born on July 11th, 1934, near Plum Creek outside Lockhart, Texas to Garland and Gladys, the first of three children. He grew up living and working on dairy farms near Lockhart and in Martindale, where his father, uncle, and grandfather were employed. As a teenager in Martindale, he enjoyed hunting and fishing along the San Marcos River. He graduated from San Marcos High School, where he played on the varsity football and basketball teams.

In 1954, Raleigh moved to Austin, working at Superior Dairies and attending Southwest Texas State College. He was drafted into the Army in 1957 and served at Fort Bliss, Texas, at Fort Carson, Colorado, at Sandia Base, New Mexico, and with a Special Weapons Depot in Massweiler, Germany, near the French border. He traveled throughout Western Europe and considered it a fantastic education.

After leaving the Army and returning to Austin, Raleigh met Laurell Marie Hilbig in 1959. They were married on February 4th, 1960, at St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic Church. He returned to work at Superior Dairies, enrolled at the University of Texas, majored in accounting, and accepted a position with United States Gypsum (USG) after graduating with a B.B.A. degree in 1967.

Raleigh’s career with USG spanned 32 years with their offices in New Braunfels, Texas, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Atlanta, Georgia, where he was the Southeast Division Price and Policy Manager and later the Marketing Administrative Manager for the Southeast. During his 28 years in Atlanta, he traveled and camped around Georgia and neighboring states with his family. He coached numerous basketball, baseball, and softball youth sports teams in his community in Doraville.

Upon retirement in 1998, Raleigh and Laurell moved to Bastrop, Texas, to be near her birthplace of Rockne. They traveled often, including a trip to Europe to share with Laurell the sights he had seen 40 years before. Nothing made him happier than being with her and helping her pursue her dreams. Raleigh also enjoyed gardening, landscaping, and watching the wildlife at home.

Raleigh liked spiritual hymns, classical country music, competitive sports, and political debate. He believed strongly in traditional values and the exceptionalism of this country. He is dearly missed by his loved ones, who celebrate the fact that he is at peace with his creator.

Services will be conducted by Bastrop Providence Funeral Home in Bastrop. A visitation will be held on Friday, March 15, 2024 from 6:00 PM 8:00 PM at Bastrop Providence Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rockne on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 10:30 AM with burial in the Sacred Heart Cemetery following the Mass.