Tom was born May 5, 1927 in Miami, AZ, the son of the late Joseph and Beatrice Hogan Kelley.  Being a copper miner’s son, he was raised in mining camps throughout AZ.  He graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Phoenix on May 3o, 1944 and enlisted in the US Navy the next day.  After completing boot camp in San Diego, he went to amphibious training school in Coronado, CA.  Upon graduation, he was assigned to the USS Kenton APA 122 where he served as a crewman on a landing craft, which transported troops and supplies.  His service in the Pacific included the invasion of Okinawa.  After discharge from the Navy, Tom attended college in Phoenix but missed the military culture and decided to enlist in the Army Air Corps, which became the Air Force. He was sent to electronics school in Fort Monmouth, NJ and while on a weekend trip to New York City in 1948 he would meet his future wife of 58 years, Joan Ann Reilly.  They were married December 18, 1949 in CA.  During his Air Force career, he worked as a Senior Electronic Inspector and later went to missile training, eventually working on the snark, atlas and minuteman missiles.  While stationed in TX, he was in charge of the school that trained Ballistic Missile Analyst Technicians and served as President of the Sheppard AFB Little League.   His last assignment was at Lowry AFB in Denver, CO where he would eventually retire in 1966.  Following his military career, Tom worked in the real estate business which he loved and had great success with leading him to start his own Century 21 franchise (Mynex Realty) in 1975.  At one point he had four successful offices in the Denver metropolitan area, and the franchise was recognized as one of the top producers in the western United States.  He was an active member in Kiwanis Club of Aurora and very involved in community activities.

Tom and Joan retired to Wild Dunes on the Isle of Palms in 1987.  While Tom enjoyed retired life at the beach, he missed going to work everyday so he came out of retirement to work at Island Realty on the Isle of Palms.  He made many great friends, both co-workers and clients, and happily worked on the island for many years.  Tom was also an active member of Stella Maris Church where he was a member of the Men’s Club and volunteer collection counter.

A loving father and grandfather, he will be deeply missed by:  his son Mike Kelley of Winston-Salem, NC; son Jim Kelley and his wife Arnie Knox of Denver, CO; and daughter Karen Kelley Long and her husband Michael of Mt. Pleasant, SC; seven grandchildren:  Sean, Chris, and Ryan Kelley of Winston-Salem, NC; Ali, Nick, and Bryn Kelley of Denver, CO; and Ellie Long of Mt. Pleasant.  He is survived by a sister, Joanna Jones of Prescott, AZ; and brother-in-law George Reilly and his wife Alice of NJ.  Tom’s family gratefully acknowledges the SICU team at Roper Hospital for their professional and compassionate care.

The funeral mass was Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at Stella Maris Catholic Church on Sullivan’s Island followed by burial with military honors at Mt. Pleasant Memorial Gardens.  Memorial donations may be made to Stella Maris Catholic Church, 1204 Middle St., Sullivan’s Island, SC  29482.  Arrangements by MCALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, MT. PLEASANT CHAPEL, 1520 Rifle Range Road, Mt. Pleasant, SC  29464; (843) 884-3833.  On-line condolences may be sent to the Kelley family via www.mcalister-smith.com.