DR. MINTON JONES KELLY

KELLY, DR. MINTON JONES - age 92, of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, passed peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, March 21, 2013, at Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge. Born in Liberty, Missouri, and orphaned at an early age, Dr. Kelly went on to be a distinguished scientist and retired from the Energy Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Dr. Kelly served during WWII in the Army Air Corps in China, where he set up and operated radio stations. After the war, Dr. Kelly met his wife of 64 years, Tommye, while working on his Doctorate in Chemistry at Texas A&M University. Following a teaching fellowship at Texas A&M and oil field work for Aramco, Dr. Kelly accepted a position in the Instrumentation and Controls Division of ORNL. In 1955, Minton and Tommye moved to Oak Ridge. Dr. Kelly had many inventions and patents while working at ORNL. He was very active in politics and served as the Anderson County Republican Chairman. He enjoyed traveling and genealogical research. He is survived by his loving wife, Tommye; and three children, Mike (Dottie) Kelly, Marcia (Tim) Illingworth, Laura (Roger) Houck; eight grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. A memorial service will be held 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, 2013. at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 212 N. Tulane Avenue, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, with interment to follow in the church memorial garden. A brief reception will follow interment in the church parish hall. Arrangements by Cremation Options, Inc. (865)6WE-CARE (693-2273) www.cremationoptionsinc.com