Burton "Burt" Lee Skinner

Burton “Burt” Lee Skinner of Matthews died after a long illness in the company of those he loved on Sunday, August 23, 2026. Born on October 5th, 1951, to Beatrice (Elting) and James Bruce Skinner at Camp Lejune, Onslow County NC while his father served in the US Marine Corps during the Korean conflict. Burt was to be their only child because, as he was fond of saying, “they got it perfect the first time”. Seven months later, the family moved to Connellsville, PA. Burt would live in Pennsylvania for eleven years, until the family left to live in Newport News, VA, so his father could work for NASA.

Upon graduation from Newport News High School in 1969, Burt went to Virginia Tech to study political science. After a year at Virginia Tech, he decided to transfer to Gardner Webb in Bolling Springs, NC to pursue a degree in religion. It was at Gardner Webb where he met his wife Patsy in 1971. They were married in 1972 and when Patsy graduated that same year, she took on four jobs so Burt could finish his college studies. Burt was always proud of the fact that he was voted the Vice President of the Student Body for his senior year. He was also selected for “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges” and graduated with his degree in 1973.

After graduation, Burt and Patsy moved to Charlotte to start their life and set down roots. Charlotte would become a city they would not only call home for over 50 years, but a place they would come to truly love as if they had been there their entire lives. Through a job placement opportunity he landed at the Al Starnes trophy store on Monroe Road, Burt began his career as an engraver, learning how to craft awards and trophies. In 1976 he formed Action Awards, which ironically opened on August 2nd, the exact same day his twin sons were born. Burt spent 11 years at Action Awards until he and Patsy decided to open Accurate Engraving in 1990, a business that would come to serve the Charlotte community for 33 years, adding Crystal Concepts and incorporating Action Awards back into the business. Tens of thousands of residents of the Charlotte area would come to receive trophies, awards and gifts from this store thanks to his expertise in engraving. One of Burt’s proudest moments was when he was entrusted to use the old copper roof and wooden flooring from the South Carolina Capitol Building to create paper weights which were sold at South Carolina welcome centers as a fund raiser for the renovations at the capitol. He prided himself on meticulous workmanship; no matter what he was working on, from small Little League trophies to large corporate gifts, Burt always stood by his work and prided himself in the fact that hard work and honesty were the cornerstones of his business.

Burt and Patsy sold their business in 2023 so they could retire and enjoy the fruits of their years of work. Their retirement was filled with trips to the North Carolina mountains, particularly Hendersonville, where they had a permanent fifth wheel camper. The best thing retirement gave him however, was the time he got to spend with family and friends, especially his golfing buddies and those from the Providence Baptist Church of Charlotte, where he and Patsy were devoted members of the congregation for over 39 years.

Aside from Patsy, Burt’s first love was the game of golf and he was lucky enough to not only play locally, enjoying his time at the Carolina Golf and Country Club, the Rolling Hills Country Club and the Champion Hills Country Club, all of which can boast of him being a former member, but also to travel to play on courses all over the United States and Great Britain. He made trips to Scotland, where he played the Old Course at St. Andrews five different times, Ireland, England, Hawaii, and he shot memorable rounds at Pinehurst 2 & 7, as well as at countless other courses across the US. If you asked him, he’d tell you that his favorite golfer was Sam Snead, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. An avid sports fan, it wasn’t just golf that Burt loved. He was a die hard Carolina Panthers’ fan, and was proud to be a founding PSL member for that organization as well as an avid follower and fan of the Virginia Tech Hokies and UNC Tarheel Basketball & Football programs; if there was a PGA tournament, an NFL game or college basketball on the television, there was a good chance Burt was watching.

In addition to sports, Burt enjoyed eating out and loved nothing more than a good fish camp dinner followed by a big bowl of ice cream. He would be happy if, in his honor, you found yourself sharing either, or preferably both, with your loved ones.

Burt is survived by his wife of 54 years, Patsy (Bumgarner) Skinner of Matthews, NC and his twin sons, Lynn Shearer Skinner and his wife, Karin Lehn, of Durham, NC and Wade Robinson Skinner and his wife April (Huntley) of Indian Trail, NC, as well as his beloved grandson Elijah Ryan Skinner, who made him a soccer fan.

He is further survived by his sister and brother in law, Karen (Bumgarner) and David Miller of Charlotte, his nephew Jeff Hooks and his wife, Tiffany, and their daughter Emily of Ruskin, Florida, and his nieces Laura Moore, Mary Alice Miller and nephew Ashburn Miller. Burt was predeceased by his parents and his brother in law, Stephen Lane Hooks.

His family stated that Burt was “rooted in faith in his Lord, devotion to his family and a love of his country. He will be missed by those that knew and loved him.” His family would also like to extend their thanks to his palliative care team from Hospice of Union County who’s compassionate care at the end of his life brought comfort and peace at a difficult time.

The family invites you to join them for Burt’s funeral services, which will be held on Monday, August 31st at 11:00 am at Providence Baptist Church ( 4921 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC) with the Reverend Doctor Lee Canipe and Reverand Blake Kendrick of the Providence Baptist Church officiating; funeral arrangements are being entrusted to Tribute-Tallent Funerals & Cremations.

In liu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Providence Baptist Church Restore & Renew Campaign, 4921 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC 28211OrHospice of Union County, FBO Atrium Health Hospice & Palliative Care Union, 700 W. Roosevelt Blvd., Monroe, NC 28110