BRUCE “Coach” SKEEN age 79 of Lebanon passed away Monday, February 17, 2025 at his residence. He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Dorothy Skeen; brother, Gordon (Josephine) Skeen and grandson, Micah Estes. He is survived by his daughter, Mary Neil (Trey) Estes; son, Mark (Courtney Pfiefer) Skeen; grandchildren, Will (Emily) Estes, Evan (Kassandra) Ferguson, Mary Caroline Ferguson, Brady (Stephanie) Estes, Jackson Skeen, Ben Estes (Emma George) and Carter Skeen; great-grandchildren, Gemma, Marley and Nash Ferguson and Lewis, Lincoln and Aden Estes; mother of his children, Mary Hugh Skeen; niece, Sheila (David) Mobley and nephew, Paul Skeen.
Bruce was a member of The Cumberland Presbyterian Church and former member of the Saulsbury Baptist Church. A proud 1963 graduate of Lebanon High School, Bruce spent much of his youth at Buckeye Corner, where he built lifelong friendships and a deep love for sports. His athletic talents led him to be recruited and signed to a football scholarship by the legendary Bear Bryant at the University of Alabama.
Bruce dedicated 32 years to the Wilson County school system, spending 29 of those years at Lebanon High School as a teacher and coach. He taught health and driver’s education while coaching baseball, football, basketball, golf, and softball shaping the lives of countless students and athletes. His passion for sports went beyond the field, as he served as the play-by-play announcer for LHS football and basketball games from 1982 to 1993, covering 123 football games and more than 600 boys’ and girls’ basketball games.
His contributions to athletics were recognized with inductions into the Cumberland University Hall of Fame (1984), the Lebanon High School Hall of Fame (2008), and the USA/ASA Tennessee Softball Hall of Fame (2022). Above all, Bruce known to his family as “Brucie”, was a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who cherished his family.
The family wants to give a special thanks to the staff with Gentiva Hospice and Dr. Dupuis at the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center.
Visitation for Mr. Skeen will be held Thursday, February 20th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Partlow Funeral Chapel. Funeral Services will be at Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 522 Castle Heights Ave., Lebanon on Friday at 2 p.m. with a visitation from 1 p.m. until the service. Bro. Kevin Medlin and Mark Medley will officiate. There will be a private family graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lebanon High School Baseball Team at Blue Devil Baseball Foundation, PO Box 2444, Lebanon, TN 37088. https://www.givebacks.com/donate/lhsbluedevilbaseball
Partlow Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements. 615-444-7007 www.partlowchapel.com
This obituary was published by Partlow Funeral Chapel.
This obituary was published by Obituaries provided free for the community.
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