A legacy of quiet strength, generosity, and integrity.
Today would have been Homer Skelton’s 94th birthday. To many in this community, he was a respected businessman, a quiet philanthropist, and the name on the building. But to me, he was something much more. He was my grandfather. He was just DeeDaddy.
He did not just build dealerships. He built trust. He built opportunity. He built a culture that still guides how we operate at Homer Skelton Hyundai every day.
Treat people right. Do the right thing. Give without needing recognition.
A Life Built on Values
Homer Skelton believed in treating people the way he wanted to be treated. His leadership philosophy was simple:
Take care of your people, and they will take care of everything else.
He never needed attention or praise. He just wanted to make life better for someone else.
His generosity was remarkable, even if most of it happened behind the scenes. For years, he donated 100 percent of his dealership salary to the Homer Skelton Charitable Foundation. That money funded scholarships, technology in schools, playgrounds, job training centers, and support for children in need across Memphis and DeSoto County.
He helped build the Field of Dreams at Snowden Grove for kids with special needs. He funded the Automotive Technology Center at the Career Tech West campus in Horn Lake. He donated hundreds of computers, thousands of coats, and quietly supported local nonprofits and ministries every single month. His only request was this:
Spend this on the kids who need it most.
He lived by Matthew 6:3-4:
"Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret."
The Legacy Lives On
As the General Manager of Homer Skelton Hyundai, and his grandson, I see it as both an honor and a responsibility to continue what he started.
This store is more than just a business. It is part of the legacy he built. A legacy grounded in treating people with dignity, doing what is right even when it is not easy, and creating a place where both employees and customers feel respected.
Every day, I try to run this dealership the way he would have wanted. That means taking care of our people. It means being honest with customers, respecting their time, and giving them a transparent and fair experience. It means building a culture where integrity matters more than pressure or profit.
We are committed to transparency. We are committed to keeping our word. And we are committed to serving the community, not just selling to it.
Because that is how he did it. And that is how we will continue to do it.
Happy Birthday, DeeDaddy
What I miss most is not just his wisdom. It is the steady way he made people feel seen. The way he believed in others, even when they did not believe in themselves.
So today, on what would have been his 94th birthday, we remember him by doing what he always did.
Love our families well.
Serve others without needing credit.
Give generously.
Lead with grace.
And we keep moving forward, just like he taught us.
Happy Birthday, DeeDaddy.
Thank you for showing us the way.
Brennon Chapman
General Manager
Homer Skelton Hyundai
