Eugene T. (Zeke) Skidmore

2011 Outstanding Alumni

Dr. Eugene T. (Zeke) Skidmore, '56

Dr. Eugene T. (Zeke) Skidmore, '56, has spent more than 50 years serving the nation and the veterinary profession as an inspection officer and a mixed animal veterinarian.

After graduation in 1956, Dr. Skidmore was commissioned by APHIS-ISDA as a livestock inspector. From 1956 to 1959, he worked for the United States Army Veterinary Corp, stationed in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Munich, Germany, inspecting food, beverage, and processing facilities for military personnel and their families. In 1960, he joined a primarily large animal practice in Gainesville, TX. In 1963, he joined a mixed practice clinic in Mesquite, TX, and later moved to Fort Worth in 1969. For the next ten years he supervised and inspected the Fort Worth stockyards and the annual Fort Worth Stock Show. In 1979, he bought the Euless Animal Hospital where he continues to run his mixed animal practice.

Dr. Skidmore is very involved in veterinary professional organizations. His experience started while he was at Texas A&M while he was an active member in the Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association. He is a past member of the Dallas County Veterinary Medical Association, and he is a life member of the Tarrant County Veterinary Medical Association, where he has held several leadership roles, including president. He is an honor roll member of the American Veterinary Medical Association. He is also a life member of the Texas Veterinary Medical Association, where he has served as the president and in several other leadership roles within the organization, including chairman of the Board of Directors, twice. He played an instrumental role in forming the Regulatory Board for pari-mutuel racing in Texas.

Always finding time to give back to his community, Dr. Skidmore has given several "career day" presentations at local public schools. He has been a 4-H leader as well as a FFA leader, and he is an honorary chapter farmer in Keller ISD and Grapevine ISD. He has also mentored several veterinary students.

Over his career, he has received numerous awards including the Distinguished Achievement Award from the Texas Veterinary Medical Association in 2002. He is an active Aggie alumnus as evidenced by his status as a Mark Francis Fellow, a member of the George Bush Museum and Library Foundation, where he is named on the Wall of Honor, and a long-time member of the Association of Former Students Century Club.

Dr. Skidmore has been married to his wife, Shirley, for 53 years. They have two daughters, one of which is a veterinarian, Dr. Gena Viator, '85, and four grandchildren. While he is not practicing and serving his community, he enjoys traveling, learning to fish, working with horses, coin collecting, and spending time with family and friends.