Thomas Matthew "Tom" Kelly, Jr. Obituary (1950

Let Us Pause To Honor the Memory of Mr. Thomas Matthew "Tom" Kelly, Jr. Thomas Matthew Kelly, Jr., of Aurora, Kentucky was born in Madison, Indiana on September 23, 1950. He was the son of Thomas Matthew Kelly, Sr. and Dorothy Lillian Nally Kelly. Tom, Jr, was raised in Madison and graduated from Shawe Memorial High School in 1969. After graduation, Tom attended Indiana University where he studied biology and graduated in 1973. Tom went on to earn his Master's degree in Special Education from the University of Kentucky. His first teaching job was in the Fayette County schools. Tom also managed the Carriage House Apartments in Lexington, Kentucky, where he met his future wife and lifelong companion, Melinda Travis Kelly, in 1975, and they wed in 1977. From Lexington, Tom and Melinda took a year off to travel by sailboat from Kentucky Lake near Aurora down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico and on to Key West, Florida. They then returned to Aurora, where Tom began teaching in the Marshall County school system's special education program. He then taught at Calloway County schools in an elementary special education classroom. After retiring from teaching in 1992, Tom enrolled at Murray State University to study fine arts, where he focused on painting and drawing. From that time, Tom worked in his studio, creating art from a variety of media, including wood, oil, charcoal, pencil and photography. Tom participated in the Murray Art Guild for years, and showed his work at the Guild, in Madison, and around Kentucky. Tom enjoyed horseback riding, trailblazing in the woods around his childhood home with his cousin Spalding Kelly, and playing music, forming several bands during high school, including "The Boys" and "The Yellow Pages." He began sailing in college and enjoyed sailing on Kentucky Lake. Tom loved to travel with his wife Melinda, and together they visited New York City, learned to scuba dive in Micronesia, and hiked in the Rocky Mountains. Tom particularly enjoyed going to the theater and visiting art museums wherever they went. Tom dearly loved his family and Melinda's, and enjoyed sharing the beauty of Kentucky Lake with them, along with his passion for art, music, nature, photography, and sports, especially Kentucky basketball. Through his art, life and love he showed all those around him appreciation and kindness. Tom passed peacefully on Sunday, February 11, 2024, at 9:42 p.m. with his loving wife at his side at the Thornton Terrace Health Campus in Hanover, Indiana. Please Click Here to View the Video Tribute. Please Click Here to View the Funeral Service Recording A LOVING FAMILY Tom will be missed by his wife, Melinda Travis Kelly of Madison, Indiana; his brother, Paul Kelly of Madison, Indiana; his sister, Dorothy "Dotty" Kelly-Paddock and her husband Peter of Hau'ula, Hawaii; his sister, Lisa Kelly Bruce and her husband Mike of Henryville, Indiana; his aunt, Judy Nally McIntyre of Louisville, Kentucky; his nieces and his nephews, Jill Kelly Koren (Emeka), Natalie Kelly, Allie Kelly Knierem (Eric "Red") Harlan Kelly (Sarah), Kelly Ann Rusch (Adam), Patrick Bruce, and Tyler Paddock; his great nieces and great nephews, Jonathon (Alina), Sonny, Esphyr, Lola, Henry, Ella, Lily, and Scarlett; numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas M. Kelly, Sr.,died December 30, 2009, his mother, Dorothy "Dot" Nally Kelly, died February 6, 2000, his sister in law, Rosie York Kelly, died September 4, 2014. CELEBRATION OF LIFEFriends and family may gather on Sunday, February 18, 2024 from 1:00-3:00 at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive in Madison, Indiana. MEMORIAL EXPRESSIONS Memorial contributions may be made to the Murray Art Guild, 500 North 4th Street in Murray, Kentucky 42071. Cards are available at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centres of Madison and Hanover. Online condolences, remembrances, and memorials can be left at www.morgan-nay.com Place An Online Donation To send a flower arrangement in memory of Thomas Matthew "Tom" Kelly, Jr., please click here to visit our sympathy store.