Thomas R. Kelley

Thomas (Steamy) Richard Kelley, 91, passed from this life peacefully at his home in Salado, Texas, on Friday, June 8, 2018, after a brief illness. Tom was born on June 13, 1926 in Fort Worth, Texas, to H.O. and Leoma (Craig) Kelley. He grew up during the Depression, living in various places all over Texas. He was born with a “knack for working on things” and developed it further by working with his dad in the family mechanical shop. Tom graduated from Dalhart High School in 1943. Tom is a veteran of World War II, where he served as a “radar man” in the U.S. Navy on a Fletcher Class destroyer in the Pacific arena. He attended Texas Tech University and earned his degree in Civil Engineering in 1949. Tom married his sweetheart, Virginia Somers in 1948, and they enjoyed 54 years of marriage. He retired from the Texas Highway Department as the Resident Engineer in Pampa of the Amarillo District, after 32 years of service, in 1979. Following his retirement, he was owner of Kelley Engineering in Pampa, Texas. After Virginia’s death in 2002, Tom married Martha (Somers) Miller. After thirteen happy years, Martha passed in 2015. Tom is a follower of Jesus Christ and served his Savior as Sunday school teacher and elder in various churches to which he belonged. He served on the board of directors of Child Evangelism Fellowship of West Texas. Tom was always a gentleman, and an example to others. Tom loved making people smile, and one way he did that is by gifting them with homemade pecan brittle, his specialty. Tom loved the family his Lord has blessed him with, and they will miss him dearly. He is survived by his children and stepchildren, Jerry Kelley; Marilyn (Terry) Bradshaw; Richard (Ann) Kelley; Ronnie (Valerie) Miller; Nancy (David) Hagar; Gary (Lisa) Miller; James (Kara) Kelley; and Elaine (Elvis) Montalbo. He also leaves behind grandchildren, Lindsey Wells; Carrie Jennings; Thomas Kelley; Brenna Marshall; Wes Bradshaw; Jason Kelley; Joanna Vela; Hope Tayne; Bailey Steele; Kirstie Miller; Jason Miller; Riley Miller; Karlee Nichols; Hannah Cunningham; Remington Couts; and Alyvia Nichols. Tom lived to be blessed by seventeen great-grandchildren. His cousin, Anna Lou Rush, who is like a sister to him, also survives him. A grandchild, Daniel Lee Kelley; his father, H.O. Kelley; his mother, Leoma Craig; and his sister, Dorothy Bell, preceded Tom in death. Visitation is scheduled 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at Lake Ridge Chapel in Lubbock, Texas. Graveside service will be at Peaceful Gardens Memorial Park, Lubbock, Texas, at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 13, 2018.