Thomas Edward Delaney
Thomas Edward Delaney
Thomas Edward Delaney, 80, Columbia City, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, at home. He had been in failing health for five months. Tom was born Feb. 27, 1940 ,to Edward and Alice (Thomas) Delaney in Fort Wayne.
He attended St. Jude School and graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1958. Tom attended St. Joseph College and graduated from the GE Tool and Die Apprentice School and Purdue University. Tom served 12 years in the Indiana Air National Guard.
Tom’s first marriage was to Linda Hughes in 1966. To this union were born Laura (Scott) Schroeder of Clarksville, Tenn.; Thomas (Elizabeth) of Charlotte, N.C.; Michele (Michael) Herald of Fort Wayne; and Andrew (Jennifer) of Fort Wayne. In 1981 Tom was married to Kelly Davenport and to this union were born Ian (Megan) of Fort Wayne; and William of Columbia City.
Tom was a career-long manufacturing engineer; he retired from Raytheon in 1999 and worked as a private contractor for several years.
He enjoyed his retirement very much – making friends everywhere he ran errands. He simply never met a stranger, always trying to learn names and secretly hoping each person would tease him back. He was rarely disappointed. In recent years he was Kelly’s “Man Friday” at Davenport Tax Service Inc., where he will be sorely missed. Tom was the Indiana President of the Raccoon River Watershed Association and took great pleasure in being the President of the Thomas Family Reunion.
Tom is survived by his best friend and wife of 39 years, Kelly Davenport; his six children; eight grandchildren; Zachary (Emily) Schroeder of Fort Drum, N.Y.; Alexandra Delaney of Charlotte, N.C.; Michael and Patrick Herald of Fort Wayne; Elise and Nolan Delaney of Fort Wayne; Eleanor Delaney of Fort Wayne; and Daniel Delaney of Columbia City; two brothers, James (Nan) Delaney of Fort Wayne; and Michael (Dell Radcliffe) Delaney of Des Moines, Iowa; and a host of brothers and sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter Abigail Delaney.
Tom and Kelly would like to thank Visiting Nurse, his caregivers Shannon Case, Karen Kyler; and Carole Krizon, Betsy Kille and Debbie Meek at DTS Inc. You made this work! Tom died as a result of smoking for 60 years. COPD devastated his lungs. Please quit smoking. Tom delighted in saying ”Everyone brings light into the room – some by entering, some by leaving.” Heaven just got a bit brighter.
A private family Mass of Christian Resurrection will be held at St. Jude Catholic Church at a later date.
In lieu of flowers the family gratefully requests Memorial Donations to WBOI (Northeast Indiana Public Radio), Raccoon River Watershed Association or to St Jude “Adopt a Student” Scholarship Fund.
