Max D. Skelton

Meritorious Service

Max D. Skelton
City: Stonewall
State: OK
Inducted: 2002

Skelton's versatility as a bowling giant led him to all parts of the United States and international communities, spreading his knowledge and leadership abilities. He began his lifetime service as a local association volunteer in Oklahoma City in 1958. He was one of the first to help foster integration after elimination of ABC's Caucasion only membership clause in his home state tournament by volunteering his team to bowl with a team of black bowlers when other teams refused. Skelton rose through the ranks to serve as ABC president in 1990. But it was his extraordinary leadership as USA Bowling president that led to the creation of the United States Tenpin Bowling Federation (later USA Bowling) and in representing the best interests of American tenpins in the Federation Internationale des Quilleurs arena.