Thomas "Tom" S. Kelly

Thomas S. (aka Tom S.) Kelly went to his lord on December 15, 2010. Tom was born on 26 November 1921 in Salisbury, Maryland to Mr. W Rouse and Mrs. M Frances Kelly (nee Shields). After graduation from high school Tom attended the University of Maryland College Park until interrupted by World War II. In 1942 Tom enlisted in the Army, completed basic engineer training, was drafted into Officer Candidate School and commissioned in the Corp of Engineers. He served in the Pacific Theater in the Northern Solomon Islands, the Bismarck Archipelago and Luzon as a combat engineer officer. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for bridging the Tuliahan River in support of operations to retake Manila. After the war he accepted a commission in the Army Reserve and returned to the University of Maryland from which he graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering. He entered a graduate training program conducted by the Panama Canal Company. In 1951 Tom was recalled to active duty where he served in Germany, Korea and at various bases in the United States. For his military service he was awarded the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with Bronze Sunrise Star and other service medals. After retirement from 26 years of military service, Tom was employed by Texas Department of Transportation in El Paso. He was a registered engineer and work principally on planning to meet long range transportation needs on estimating the environmental effects of highway projects. Tom retired from Texas Department of Transportation in 1986.Tom is survived by his wife Hajnalka (Heidi) Kelly (nee Kucskar), sons Joseph H. Kelly and wife Mary, Henry B. Kelly and wife Madelaine and Frank L. Kelly wife Teri and daughters Monika H Fields and husband Allen and Heidi M Click. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, brother Joseph Kelly and sister Esther Kelly and daughter Lilly M (Cookie) Kelly, Tom and Hajnalka have 16 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to a charity of your choice. A Memorial Visitation will be held on Monday, December 20, 2010 from 5:00 – 9:00 pm with a Vigil/Rosary to begin at 7:00pm at Sunset Funeral Homes Northeast. Funeral Mass will be at Christ the Savior Catholic Church on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 at 10:00 am. Committal Service to follow at Fort Bliss National Cemetery. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Homes-Northeast. Please visit on-line register at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net