Thomas B. Kell |
| Posted 2009-09-16 by Sharon |
| The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ May 4, 2005, p. B9 Thomas B. Kell Master Sergeant Thomas B. Kell, US Marine Corps, Retired, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 16 in Peoria, Ariz. He was born on February 23, 1917 in Syracuse, Kan., to Thomas T. and Blanche (Hunter) Kell, the youngest of four children. He graduated from Florence High School in 1935. He attended college for a while and in August 1940 joined the Marine Corps and served for 20 years. One of his most memorable experiences was watching the first raising of the American Flag on Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima on his birthday in 1945. Tom married Margaret Kreps on February 2, 1944 in San Diego, Calif., They had three children, Geri, Tom and Joyce, while living in San Diego, and moved to Lakewood in February 1951, where they lived while their children grew up. They began traveling on weekends and after retirement they moved to Big River, Calif. Eventually, they traveled full-time for 11 years, all over the U.S., Alaska, Canada and Mexico. In the early 1990s, they joined the Escapees RV group, fondly called "Skips," and Tom became a Rainbow Builder, helping to build the SKP's park at North Ranch in Arizona. They had a home at the Ranch until deteriorating health forced a move. Even up to the morning of his passing, his sense of humor and orneriness were very present. He enjoyed visits from his wife, his children and great-grandchildren, and always had a twinkle of glee in his eye. He enjoyed working outside, especially early in the morning before the birds were awake. His presence will be missed by his wife Margaret, his daughters Geri Allen and Joyce (Burrall) Sanders, his son Tom (Deborah) Kell, seven grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and a brother, as well as a granddaughter and a son-in-law. A memorial service will be held in the fall. In lieu of flowers, Dad would have appreciated a donation be made to the American Legion Post #62, 10995 N. 99th Ave., Peoria, AZ 85345. |
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