Thomas M. Kelly
November 12, 1940 ~ April 24, 2011
Thomas M. Kelly, 70, of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, April 24, 2011, at St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids, with his three loving sisters by his side. Funeral Mass: 11 a.m. Thursday, April 28, 2011, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, by Rev. Gerald Condon. Visitation: 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, with a vigil service at 6 p.m. Visitation also one hour prior to mass on Thursday at the church. Burial: Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Survivors include his sisters, Patricia Kelly, of Cedar Rapids, Geraldine (Ronald) Frerick, of Cedar Rapids, and Kathy (Thomas) Van Berkum of Marion; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Tom was born November 12, 1940, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Lawrence and Mary (Carolan) Kelly. He attended school at St. Matthew, Immaculate Conception and graduated as part of the first class from Regis High School in 1959. In high school he began his 42 year career with Nash Finch as a sign painter, retiring in 2000 as head of the department. He also co-owned T and T Framing with friend Tom Hennessey, creating woodworking and picture framing projects. Tom enjoyed golfing, fishing, NASCAR and following his favorite teams, the Chicago Bears and Iowa Hawkeyes. He was a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and for ten years participated in the annual SaPaDaPaSo parade with his family and friends. Tom was diagnosed with polio at age 10, but never let his disease stand in the way of living a full life. With a twinkle in his eye and a warm smile, Tom always greeted you with a 'Good mornin'', no matter the time of day. His Irish wit and sense of humor will be greatly missed by everyone who knew and loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Judie Brown. Memorial may be directed to his family.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Dear Tom…..
May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sunshine wash upon your face.
May the rain fall soft upon your fields.
And… until we meet again, may the Lord hold you in the palm of hie hand.
Rest in peace, friend….
Growing up all I remember is what a great man Tom always was due to what my parents, Jim and Sharon, said about him. Whenever Tom was around our family gatherings I remember him as a happy, funny, and social guy. I thought alot of Tom and I am sad for all of us survivors that we have lost such a good man. He is now reunited with his sister, Mom and Dad and of course my Gma Agnes Stortz who I know loved him so.
Barb (Huber)and Jeff Breza
Dear Cousins!
I always loved Toms rather quiet sort of way, his bright eyes, the smile and his robust ha ha laugh! I walk around my house and I am so priveleged to have a few pictures framed by Tom. I am sad he had to suffer with his illness. I can still remember a few BBQs in Toms back yard when we lived in CR and him coming over for coffee at Aunt Marys when he knew I was stopping over. I loved coffee at Aunt Marys 🙂 some of my fondest memories, spending time with her and Patsy while going to college. Just a bit of home in CR! Thanks for the memories Tom! May you be blessed with your resurrection and new home in heaven as you are reunited with your Mom, Dad and Judie and especially Jesus Christ! Watch over all of us! Love you all!! Brenda Schwan
Terrific guy!
My thoughts are with all the family during this time and prayers offered daily. I have so many wonderful, wonderful memories with Tom and the family. Until we meet again my friend, I know God is holding you in the palm of his hand. Never a St Patty’s Day goes by I remember fondly the floats and the great times. I will be there in spirit the next few days, as I am out of town. God Bless you all.
My Memories… GOOD MORNIN’… I was fortunate enough to be greeted by that Tom Kelly “trademark line” nearly every day for almost 17 years. Tom was a wonderful man, a great boss, and he was my mentor. I learned more from that man in the years that we worked together at Nash than he will ever know… And I thank him for that! But more than a great boss, Tom was a fun loving person… I always enjoyed coming to work on Monday mornings to hear his “weekend” stories (adventures)which more often than not included his sisters… Tom loved his family.
I will miss you Boss, and rest assured… I will have a cold one for you! Rest peacefully in God’s hands.
My prayers and thoughts are with Tom’s family. My memories of my classmate, Tom, are that he was always such a kind person. I never heard him complain about anything. He will have a high place in heaven.
We are sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Tom I will miss your great smile and Good Mornin” We shared many irish cheer and floats of great fun. May we meet again in Heaven. God Bless, Bev
So sadden to har of Tom’s passing. I shared many good times with him and Tom H. playing golf, cards and good times at the K of C. I also bought my first car from Tom, a 72 Ford Mustang that had more primer on it than paint! Tom was truely a good man, liked and respected by all. My life is the better for having Tom in it – I will miss him deeply but will always relish the wonderful memories and good times we shared.
I was very sorry to hear of Tom’s passing, he was a good friend, a great sign maker, and a truly nice person!
We tried to get together with Tom whenever we were in C.R., but due to health reasons the last time we were in the area he didn’t feel up to meeting at the I.D. for a light beer, but was hoping to be back in fighting shape by our next visit. I am glad I at least was able to talk to him one last time.
I will miss my friend Tom!
When Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, ’tis like the morn in Spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing.
When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they steal your heart away.
The Kelly Family floats were always a 1st!! Thanks for including us. Till we meet again!! Our sympathies to the Kelly family
Tom was one of the “Good Guys”. It was thru my Dad Ralph that I met Tom. Dad and Tom had many good times together and it was always a pleasure when I was able to join them for a day.
Well, I know for sure Dad was at the gates with golf clubs in hand ready for a round. Tom will be missed but not forgotten.
I just found out about Tom’s passing. I have many fond memories of Tom and all of his St.Patrick’s day adventures. Tom donated wonderful framed Irish prints for the SaPaDaPaSo Irish Hooley. It was always a big production to see who was going to win the “Tom Kelly” picture each year. A true Irish character with a great big heart. I also have many memories from his entry BEATING our parade entry edging us out for an award he always came up with very clever parade entries. One of my favorites was the crows when downtown CR had the crow problem. I want to extend my sympathies to the family & to Tom’s friends. He was very dear to everyone at SaPaDaPaSo.
May your heart be warm and happy
With the lilt of Irish laughter
Every day in every way
And forever and ever after.
To a truly fine Irishman, and a wonderful human being.
Thanks Uncle Tom for all of the memories. You will be missed. Your nephew Neil.
Uncle Tom you will be dearly missed. I will always associate St. Patrick’s Day with you. I will forever cherish those memories of being in your St. Patricks’ Day floats growing up. Here’s a pint to you! -Austin Frerick
I just heard about Toms passing. My prayers and thoughts are with all of Toms family.
To the entire Kelly family,
I had the privalege to know Tom through his days of exercising at St Luke’s. I always enjoyed seeing him and that twinkle in his eyes. I admired his attitude and loved to hear his stories. He will be missed. Lisa Kilburg, RN at St. Luke’s cariopulmonary rehab