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Thomas W. Kelly, 89, of Spring Lane Farm, Tyrone, passed away Wednesday at his home surrounded by his family. Born in West Newton, Pa., he was the oldest child of John Martin and Mildred (Holod) Kelly.
Tom grew up on farms in Westmoreland and Washington counties, where farming and his faith shaped the course of his life. He earned the FFA Keystone Farmer Degree in 1954, the Pennsylvania National 4-H Leadership Award in 1956, and participated in International Farm Youth Exchange to France following his graduation from Penn State University with a degree in Agricultural Education in 1958.
Tom first met Margaret "Peg" Morrow in 1957 while they were competing on Penn State and 4-H dairy judging teams at national contests. They married on May 26, 1962, and shared
64 years of marriage rooted in faith, love, hard work and family.
Before farming on their own, Tom spent 15 years serving the agricultural industry as Blair County's Assistant Agent for 4-H and Dairy, a Holstein Fieldman, District Manager for Curtiss Breeding Service and Show Manager for the Pennsylvania All-American Dairy Show and Pennsylvania Farm Show. He helped establish the Invitational Youth Dairy Cattle Judging Contest, which remains a part of the All-American Dairy Show today.
In 1974, Tom and Peg founded Spring Lane Farm in Tyrone's Sinking Valley. Through years of dedication, they built a successful Registered Holstein operation while raising their five children, all of whom were active in 4-H Dairy and Junior Holstein programs.
Tom was deeply committed to serving agriculture and rural communities. He held leadership roles with Holstein Association USA, the Farm Credit System, the Pennsylvania Dairymen's Association, the Pennsylvania Holstein Association, the Mid-Atlantic Master Farmer Association and numerous local agricultural organizations. His contributions were recognized with several honors, including induction into the Pennsylvania Holstein Hall of Fame in 2007.
Faith was the anchor of Tom's life, and family was his greatest joy. A devoted member of Sinking Valley Presbyterian Church, he served for many years as Elder, Treasurer, Sunday school teacher and Chairman of the Mission and Outreach Committee. He was known for his humility, integrity, generosity and willingness to help others. He loved Peg with unwavering devotion, took great pride in his children and grandchildren and treasured the arrival of his great-granddaughter.
Tom is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Peg; his five children: Brian (Caroline) Kelly, Susanne (David) Lucas, Miriam (Norman) Miller, Rebecca (Justin) McMurray and John David (Simmi) Kelly; his 11 grandchildren: David Thomas Lucas, Elizabeth Lucas (Tyler) Gerhart, Ella Lucas, Mariel (Joseph
Ferragonio) and Jacob Thomas (Olivia Sandacz) Miller, Isabelle, Elijah, Thomas and Emelia McMurray, and Ty and Rya Kelly; and his great-granddaughter, Margot Elizabeth Gerhart. He is also survived by his sister, Ruth Talley; and numerous
nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his sister, Clara Morgan; and brothers-in-law, Leroy Morgan and Robert Talley.
Friends will be received from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 5, 2026, at Richard H. Searer Funeral Home Inc., Tyrone.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Sinking Valley Presbyterian Church.
Interment will be at St. John Lutheran Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; or Sinking Valley Presbyterian Church, 854 Morrow Road, Tyrone, PA 16686.
searerfuneralhomeinc.com