GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Family and friends are raising money to support a Gainesville firefighter and his wife after their 22-month-old son died following an accident at a local shopping center.
Knox Skelton was just shy of his second birthday when he and his father, Samuel “Sammy” Skelton, were struck by a vehicle at Limestone Marketplace. Supporters are asking the community to help Sammy and Kiana Skelton with the financial strain following their son’s death and to keep the grieving parents in their prayers.
“Please also join us in lifting these precious parents in prayer as they walk through an unimaginable time,” the GoFundMe page states.
In his obituary, Knox’s family remembered a little boy who traveled everywhere with his monster trucks, loved being outdoors and looked forward to swinging at the park on his daddy’s days off.
He was also a familiar presence at the fire station, where his family said he “ran the fire station like he owned the place” and loved pretending to drive the fire truck “just like his daddy.”
Knox preferred cookies and snacks to meals and enjoyed music by Forrest Frank, Brandon Lake and Third Day. His family often found him throwing his hands into the air and saying, “Amen!”
They described him as a mama’s boy who spent his days close to both parents.
“All Knox knew was love wherever he went,” his family wrote.
SUV jumped the curb
Sammy, an off-duty Gainesville firefighter, was carrying Knox when they were struck shortly before noon on Oct. 7, according to Gainesville police. Knox was flown to a children’s hospital in Atlanta, where he died.
Police said 68-year-old Teresa Parker was attempting to park a 2024 Ford Edge in a handicap parking space when she inadvertently accelerated over the curb, striking the father and son. The vehicle also struck a building at the shopping center, which includes Publix.
Authorities did not release details about Sammy’s condition. The crash remains under investigation.
Funeral services for Knox will be held at noon Monday, Oct. 12, at The Chapel on McEver, with burial to follow at Timberridge Baptist Church. There will be no visitation.
Memorial Park Funeral Home in Gainesville is handling arrangements.
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