The Skip King Memorial Scholarship Fund
Donald Byrum “Skip” King passed away on July 23rd, 2024, after a hope filled, courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. In early 2025, The King Family established The Skip King Memorial Scholarship Fund, as a way to give back to their island community of St. Thomas, which had given so much to Skip and his family, for nearly five decades
Skip was the owner of Island Yacht Charters, Inc in Red Hook. He was an employer to many Ivanna Eudora Kean High School Jr. ROTC cadets in his 47 years at the helm of Island Yachts. This scholarship is to honor Skip as well as his protégé and dear friend, IEKHS class Valedictorian 2003, Elroy Allen. Elroy worked at Island Yachts after school from his freshman year through senior year. Skip was a meaningful mentor to Elroy, and they shared a unique and special bond. The on-the-job guidance and training Skip passed on to Elroy and Skip’s great confidence in this young man, helped Elroy to develop a skill set and work ethic that was very instrumental to the career path he would choose. With Skip’s support and encouragement, Elroy excelled at his job at IYC and displayed maturity well beyond his years.
Elroy was accepted into the prestigious United States Coast Guard Academy, graduating with honors in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management. He earned a Master of Science degree in Project Management from the Florida Institute of Technology, graduating Summa cum laude. Elroy is currently the chief pilot and Operations Officer of the largest and busiest air station in the United States, in Clearwater Fl. Elroy was heartbroken at the news of Skip’s passing and flew home to the island to attend Skip’s memorial service, where he gave an emotional and heartfelt tribute to his mentor and friend.
The Skip King Memorial Scholarship will be awarded annually, to a male or female Ivanna Eudora Kean High School Senior and JR. ROTC cadet, who exemplifies the virtues of Skip King and Elroy Allen.
On May 13th, 2026, Andrea & Grace King proudly presented the second annual Skip King Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $1500, to high school senior and Jr. ROTC cadet Dayali Avila Buil.
Contributions to the annual Skip King Memorial Scholarship Fund may be made through the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands, by using the QR code or link below.
Donation Link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=53XYWU85NQ7JS
Next year’s 2027 scholarship will be awarded in the amount of $2000 and in 2028, $2500, at which time we will have met the minimum fund threshold required by the CFVI. Every donation, no matter the amount, is greatly appreciated as it contributes greatly to the financial support of a student who wishes to pursue a higher education.
A huge thank you to those who donated to this year’s 2026 scholarship.
With heartfelt love and gratitude,
Andrea, Grace and Nathan King
