Thomas Donovan Kelly

Our wonderful father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Thomas Donovan Kelly, 102, passed away Monday morning, August 29, 2011 at St. John's Liggett Cottage.

Tom was the seventh of eleven children born to Peter E and Mary Ellen (Donovan) Kelly in Billings on December 2, 1908. In his early childhood, Tom could be found selling newspapers in front of the Northern Hotel, playing sandlot baseball, or occasionally engaging in "fisticuffs" with a bully. He attended school in Billings, graduating from Billings Senior High School where he was captain of the football team in 1929. He graduated from Eastern Montana Normal School (MSU-B) in 1932, where he was president of his senior class. In 1940 he graduated in Business Administration and Education from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.

April 17, 1937 Tom married Adeline Nelson in Billings. They enjoyed more than seventy wonderful years together. After college Tom worked for the Billings Gas Company and the Internal Revenue Service in Billings. In 1947 he opened his own Tax Accounting Office (Kelly Accounting) in Billings, which he and Adeline operated for 28 years until their retirement in 1978. The business continues to be operated by their son, Don and grandson, Donovan.

Tom supervised the 1950 Census for Billings and eleven surrounding counties. This included Population Census, Agriculture, Housing and Business. He had 150 employees working for him.

Tom was State President of Montana Society of Public Accountants; also Montana Director of the National Society. He was a charter member and secretary of the first Exchange Club of Billings, a member of the Elks Lodge, and a charter member of the Yellowstone Country Club. Tom's Catholic faith was a major part of his life, serving as Faithful Navigator of Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus and an active member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.

Upon retiring Tom and Adeline moved to Arizona where they lived for many years. Playing golf and Bridge occupied much of their time, as well as their worldwide travels. An avid sports fan, Tom loved watching boxing and Notre Dame Football, his son’s alma mater. In 1988 Tom and Adeline moved back to Billings, residing at WestPark Village for 22 wonderful years. Tom spent the last year of his life receiving outstanding care at St. John's Liggett Cottage from the extraordinary staff.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Adeline (2008), his parents and all of his ten siblings. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Don (Pat) and his five grandchildren; Shannon (Ed) Savage of Mercer Island, WA; Erin (Bruce) Glennie of Billings; Donovan (Tricia) Kelly of Billings; Carmal (Jeff) Chrisman of Boise, ID; and Courtney (Mike) Tuszynski of Pittsboro, NC. Surviving great-grandchildren are Donovan, Liam, Hugh and Josephine Savage; Ian, Andrew and Connor Glennie; Kaylor and Zoie Althoff; Cayla, Paige and Brynn Chrisman; and Hank and Adeline Tuszynski.

A viewing will be held Wednesday, August 31 from 2-8 p.m. at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary at 1001 Alderson Ave. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, September 1, followed by a reception at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church at 2055 Woody Drive. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Billings Food Bank, St. Vincent De Paul or a charity of your choice.