Obituary of Thomas Lewis Kelly

AIKEN, SC – STAFF SERGEANT THOMAS LEWIS KELLY, US Army (Ret.), entered into rest at Emory University on Memorial Day, May 31, 2021, at the age of 53.

He was born September 10, 1967 in Aiken, SC to Jimmy W. Kelly and the late Debra S. Whisenant. He was a lifelong resident of Aiken, SC except during his time in service. SSG Kelly proudly served his country for 20 years in the 1st Cavalry Division of the US Army. During this time, he was stationed throughout the US and and abroad. He served tours of duty in Texas, Bosnia, Germany, Korea and many other locations, and saw conflict in Bosnia and Iraq.

After his retirement from the US Army, he earned his associate's degree in computer networking and was employed as a work station support analyst for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Columbia, South Carolina.

He enjoyed spending time with his family, shooting, fishing, eating Sunday lunch at his Granny's, and everything to do with the state of Texas.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Debra S. Whisenant; maternal grandparents Thomas (T.S.) Smith and Catherine B. Smith of Perry, SC; and paternal grandfather Louis Kelly of Aiken, SC.

Survivors in addition to his father, Jimmy W. Kelly, include his wife of fifteen years, Greta Ritz Kelly; three children, Kristen Kelly, Caroline Kelly, and Timothy Kelly; three step-children, Nick Vollmer, Hope Vollmer, and Jimmy Bell; four grandchildren, Emily Swanson, Casey Swanson, Evelyn Kelly, and Ezra Workman; a brother, Bradley Kelly; his grandmother, Elizabeth Brantley; and his step-father, Robin Whisenant.

The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 p.m., Friday, June 4, 2021, at George Funeral Home with the funeral service following at 2:00 p.m. in The George Funeral Chapel. Pastor Steven Drawdy officiating. Interment, with military honors, will follow in Aiken Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be directed to ForcesUnited (formally Wounded Warrior Project).  

The Historic George Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 211 Park Ave., SW, Aiken, SC 29801 (803.649.6234), has charge of arrangements.

Expressions of sympathy for the family may be left by visiting www.georgefuneralhomes.com