Thomas “Bo” Kelley, age 78 of Dayton, passed away at his home on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. He was born in Dayton in “Kelley Holler” on February 22, 1948, the son of the late Harmon H. “Shag” Kelley and Bertha Lavada (Gennoe) Kelley. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Dean, Vivian “Bib,” Nina, and Shirley.

Bo was a lifelong Rhea County resident and a proud 1966 graduate of Rhea Central High School. He answered the call to serve his country in the US Army, completing his service in the Korean DMZ before returning home to build a 36-year career as a machinist at the Oak Ridge Y-12 National Security Complex. A man who found purpose in serving others, Bo was a dedicated member of American Legion Post 100, where he built wheelchair ramps for those in need, and he also served on the Rhea County Election Commission. Whether he was fixing something for a neighbor or working on cars in his spare time, Bo was always most at home with his hands busy and someone to help.

His faith was central to everything he did. At Dayton Church of God, Bo threw himself into the bus ministry with characteristic dedication — driving routes, keeping the fleet maintained, helping acquire new buses, and even painting them himself. He also poured his energy into AWANA, the Rhea of Hope Food Bank, and the Church Council, served faithfully as church custodian, and volunteered with Vacation Bible School.

Bo is survived by his wife of 57 years, Carolyn Ann (Harwood) Kelley of Dayton; his sons, Tim (Donna) Kelley of Sale Creek and Stephen (Wendy) Kelley of Seymour; his brother, Harold Kelley of Augusta, South Carolina; his grandchildren, Ethan Kelley of Dayton, Luke Kelley and Ella Kelley of Sale Creek, Justin (Mary) Kelley of Seymour, Dustin (Megan) Kelley of Hanahan, South Carolina, and Bradley (Mikayla) Kelley of Schwenksville, Pennsylvania; and his five great-grandchildren, Kayla, Mia, Lucas, Anakin, and Eric.

Funeral services for Bo will be in the funeral home chapel on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. with Bishop Terry Bolton officiating. He will be laid to rest with US Army military honors in Rhea Memory Gardens after the service.

Memorial contributions may be made in Bo’s name to Sale Creek Church of God Building Fund, 14919 Old Dayton Pike, Sale Creek, TN 37373.

Please share your memories and photos of Bo on his online guest register at www.vanderwallfh.com.

The family is being cared for by Vanderwall Funeral Home in Dayton, Tennessee, where they will receive friends on Thursday, April 23, 2026, from 12:00 noon until the time of the service.