The Shadow
WINCHESTER, Ky. – Nelson Thomas “Tom” Kelley, 59, of Georgetown, former minister of the Forest Grove Christian Church in Winchester and husband of Becky Kelley, passed away on Friday, Nov. 13, 2009, at St. Joseph Hospice Care Center in Lexington, Ky.
He was born in Fayette County, Ohio, Aug. 10, 1950, to the late William Nelson and Dorothea Tanner Kelley.
After graduating from Miami Trace High School in 1968, Tom attended Johnson Bible College in Tennessee for two years, then continued his studies at Kentucky Christian College, where he graduated in 1974. During this time, on Aug. 20, 1971, he married Rebekah “Becky” Fridley, to whom he would be a devoted husband. For 39 years, Tom was a dedicated minister at a number of churches in Kentucky, Ohio, and New York and most recently served at Minorsville Christian Church in Stamping Ground, Ky. He was an avid golfer and loved being a “Paw Paw.”
In addition to his wife, Tom is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, John Kelley of Nicholasville and Sean and Jennifer Kelley of Georgetown, Ky.; a daughter and son-in-law, Kara and Vincent Taylor of Winchester; two grandchildren, Grace and Patrick Kelley of Georgetown; and a number of nephews and cousins.
Other survivors include brothers-in-law, Ledford Fridley, Alan and Billie Fridley, Delbert and Susan Fridley, Richard and Phyllis Fridley, Mike and Emily Fridley, all of Covington; sisters-in-law, Ruth and Ernie Johnson of New Castle, Libby and Terry Simpson of Covington.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Peggy Snyder Siler.
A memorial service will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Christview Christian Church, 3133 New Boonesboro Rd., Winchester, Ky., officiated by Scott Snyder, John Kelley, Fred Mitchell, and Craig Yates. A video tribute of Tom’s life will be presented at 1:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Minorsville Christian Church, 5130 Owenton Rd., Stamping Ground, Ky. 40379, Bluegrass Christian Camp, 7463 Athens-Boonesboro Rd., Lexington, Ky. 40509, or Hospice of the Bluegrass, 2312 Alexandria Dr., Lexington, Ky. 40504.
