Obituary: Thomas Kelly

Thomas “Tom” Earl Kelly, age 75, of Clinton, passed away on Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge.

He and his wife were married for 53 years. They have kept and cared for more than 30 foster children. He loved the outdoors, farming, animals, four-wheeling and giving hugs. Tom enjoyed spending time with his family.

He was a National Guard veteran and retired from Dico Tire in 2003. Tom was of the Baptist faith and was preceded in death by his parents, Earl William and Minnie Pearl Kelly.

Tom is survived by his wife, Lana Kelly of Clinton; sons, Tommy James Kelly and wife Cynthia Woodward of Atlanta, Ga., Kenneth Earl Kelly of Clinton, and Charles Edmonds and wife Beth of Morristown, Tenn.; daughters, Tammy Sue Weaver and husband James Franklin of Bellvue, Ohio, Amanda Dupee of Clinton, and Marie Kelly of Clinton; brothers, Carl E. Kelly and wife Evelyn of Harriman, Tenn., Robert Kelly of Lenoir City, Tenn., John William Kelly and wife Julia of Knoxville; sisters, Mary Howell of Clinton, Carolyn Smith of Clinton; nine grandchildren, one great-grandchild to be born in July; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Thomas’s family had a graveside service on Sunday, Feb. 16, at 2 p.m. at Anderson Memorial Gardens in Clinton, with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society, American Heart Associations, or a similar charity of your choice.

Jones Mortuary in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements.