Life story Mr. Thomas M. Kelly, age 89, of Madison passed away peacefully in his sleep at 3:30 am on Wednesday, December 30, 2009, at his home. Born April 17, 1920 in Springfield, KY, he was the son of Richard E, and Margaret Spalding-Kelly. He married Dorothy Nally on October 14, 1946. Mr. Kelly graduated from Springfield High School where he was the valedictorian of his class. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Kentucky where he played basketball for his beloved Wildcats during his freshman year. In 1944, he enlisted in the Armed Forces where he served as a Radio Technician in WWII. He co-owned and operated the Kelly Brothers Ace Hardware store at the northwest corner of Walnut and Main Streets from 1946 until 1977 with his two brothers Richard and Louis Kelly. Mr. Kelly was a member of the Prince of Peace Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, Elks Lodge #524, VFW #1969, American Legion Post #9 and also served as a member of the original "Madison Riverfront Committee." He was a member of the Madison Country Club and enjoyed playing golf, tennis, bridge, and was known around Madison for his love of dancing. He will be missed by his daughters: Dorothy Kelly-Paddock and her husband, Peter of Hauula, Hawaii, and Lisa Kelly Bruce and her husband, Mike of Madison; his sons: Thomas Kelly Jr. and his wife, Melinda of Aurora, KY, and Paul Kelly and his wife, Rosie of Madison; six grandchildren: Jill Kelly Koren, Natalie Kelly Kimmel, Alethaire Kelly, Harlan Kelly, Patrick Bruce, and Kelly Bruce Rusch; four great-grandchildren: Jonathon, Sonny, Esphyr, and Lola Rose; a friend and caregiver, Katherine Jones of Madison; one sister, Catherine Kelly-Hamilton of Springfield, KY; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Dorothy; two brothers: Richard Kelly and Louis Kelly; and one sister, Alethaire Kelly Barber. The Reverend John Meyer will conduct the Mass of Christian Burial at 1:00 PM Saturday, January 2, 2010 at the Prince of Peace Catholic Church, with interment to follow in St. Patrick's Cemetery. Friends and family may call at the Lytle Funeral Chapel from 4 to 8 PM Friday. A prayer service will be held at 7:45 pm Friday at the funeral home. Military graveside services will be conducted by the United States Army. The family requests memorial contributions to be made to the Friends of Shawe and Pope John Schools or Alzheimers Association. Memorial envelopes are at the funeral home. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Thomas M. Kelly, please visit our floral store.