Thomas John Kelly

Thomas “Todd” J. Kelly, age 68, of Rockledge, FL, died peacefully at home with his wife by his side on July 19, 2024. Born November 13, 1955, in Baltimore, MD, to Clarence and Dorothy (Schreiber) Kelly, he was the youngest child and only son. He often reminisced about going crabbing and fishing with his father on the Chesapeake Bay. Tom graduated from The John Carroll School in 1973, where he was involved in chorus and performed in musicals. He then went on to King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, PA, but in his senior year decided to sow his wild oats instead, dropped out and hitchhiked out west. He spent the next couple of years working on salmon boats and other odd jobs while traveling up and down the west coast. In 1979 at age 23, Tom enlisted in the United States Air Force. As an Airman, he worked as an air traffic controller, which he loved. That position took him to Hahn AFB, Germany. Returning to the United States, he was stationed at Seymour Johnson AFB in NC. In 1984, he was selected for the Airman Education and Commissioning Program and was assigned to the University of South Carolina. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, he attended Officer Training School and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1987. His first assignment as a Second Lieutenant was at Los Angeles AFB, CA. In 1991, Tom was chosen for the select graduate engineering program managed by the Air Force Institute of Technology. He attended University of Tennessee Space Institute in Tullahoma, TN, graduating in 1992 with a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering. After proudly serving his country for 17 years (3 months, and 23 days as he would add…), he honorably retired in 1996 as a Captain from Patrick AFB in Florida. As a civilian, Tom went on to have an illustrious career as an electrical engineer, including working as a contractor at Kennedy Space Center. His second career included monitoring nuclear testing throughout the world, taking him as far as Kazakhstan, building radar systems around Central Florida, to working on the shuttle program installing lightning detection equipment and supporting communication contracts, leaving the workforce in 2013. In retirement, he took enjoyment in everything Florida had to offer - fishing, navigating the St. Johns River in his Gheenoe, birding, looking for springs, visiting state parks, kayaking, hiking, taking long drives in wildlife management areas, watching rocket launches from his backyard. He was also able to indulge in his love of the performing arts by attending community theater, symphony, chamber music, musicals, Shakespeare theater, ballet, and concerts.

He is survived by his wife, Debbie (m. June 2, 1999); daughter Jennifer Kelly and granddaughters Bryanna, Jaylynn, and Mia of Avalon, FL; sons Daniel Kelly, of Kissimmee, FL, Thomas Kelly of Detroit, MI, Ian Kelly of San Francisco, CA; stepsons Bret and Brian Barlow; nephews Michael and Matthew Ridgaway. 

Tom was predeceased by his parents, Clarence and Dorothy Kelly, and sisters, Sharren Kelly and Katherine Ridgaway. Tom will be interred at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims, FL. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation Center. Tom's wife has entrusted his care to Ammen Family Cremation and Funeral Care. “Work is not an end in itself; there must always be time enough for love.” (A line from Tom’s favorite book…) - Time Enough for Love by Robert A. Heinlein.