Alfred E. Skelton; Former Water Agency President

Alfred E. Skelton, former president of the Antelope Valley East Kern Water Agency board and longtime community leader, has died in Lancaster. He was 95. A resident of Lancaster, Skelton died Tuesday of natural causes, said his daughter, Eva Harpst.

Born April 10, 1895, in Bay City, Mich., Skelton came to California in 1919 and settled in the Antelope Valley in 1956.

A general contractor, he was appointed to the water agency board by former Gov. Edmund G. (Pat) Brown Sr. in 1959 and was later elected to the post and served until 1975. In 1980, he was appointed to fill a vacancy, was again elected and served until 1987. He was board president from 1963 to 1975.

Skelton was active in the Building Industry Assn., Antelope Valley Board of Trade, Antelope Valley Trade Club, the Farm Bureau, Lancaster Masonic Lodge, Lancaster Elks Lodge, the Yucca Grange, Antelope Valley Shrine Club, Al Malaikah Shrine Temple in Los Angeles, Scottish Rite Temple in Long Beach, Lynwood Masonic Lodge and the Rotary Club in Lynwood.

He is survived by his son, Charles Skelton of Lancaster; daughter Eva Harpst of Lancaster; 15 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and two great-great granddaughters. His wife, Vera Mae Skelton, died in 1972.

A memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Halley-Olsen Funeral Chapel, 44802 N. Date Ave. in Lancaster. Donations can be made in Skelton’s name to the Salvation Army.