It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Thomas Paul Kell III, of Coon Rapids, MN. Tom passed away unexpectedly and peacefully while sleeping on January 2, 2025. He was 77.

Tom was born in Carbondale, IL to Thomas Paul Kell II and Doris Eloise Kell. He is survived by Chris, his wife of 48 years, his much-loved children and children by marriage, Melissa (Alex), Thomas Paul IV (Kelly), and C. J. (Heather), and two beloved grandsons, Thomas V and Connor. Tom is also survived by his brother Bill (Tina) and nephews, Zach (Bre) and Josh (Lindi), two grandnieces and three grandnephews.

Tom was a spiritual man first and foremost. He lived his values, and was an example to others to do the same. He was a loving father both in temperament and by example. As a family man, he willingly and joyfully fulfilled his responsibilities faithfully and generously, providing his family with a comfortable life even in tough times. He treated everyone with kindness and respect; he was generous with his time, his money, and himself. He was the rock his family leaned on.

Tom exemplified the principle of using our God-given talents to create the life we want, and he was a willing companion in the discovery of what is most important in life and the achievement of lifelong dreams.

Tom started out on a path of service early in his life while attending high school. On Civic Youth Day, following a weeklong campaign and official election, he took the oath of office as the ninth grade student council representative to the city government of Swainsboro, GA.

After high school and moving to Atlanta, GA, Tom enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving in Central America during the Vietnam War as a Communication Specialist and Linguist with a Top Secret clearance, service of which he was extremely proud.

Tom spent the greater part of a successful career in the financial services industry, during which time he received numerous awards and certifications attesting to his business acumen and excellent leadership skills. In addition to his professional advancement up the “corporate ladder,” education was important to Tom and he pursued an impressive educational regimen, receiving degrees (including his MBA and PhD) and certifications in a broad range of fields including banking, business management, finance, corporate law and contracts, macroeconomics, and several others.

With his more than fifty years of strategic business, financial, and marketing experience, Tom brought a wealth of knowledge to many civic and community endeavors, including appointments by Governor Tommy Thompson of Wisconsin to the Great Lakes States Commission, the Wisconsin Waterways Commission, the Wisconsin Economic Education Council, and the Governor’s Business Advisory Council.

Tom was active in the community of Spooner, WI for almost twenty years, serving on the Northwest Regional Planning Commission, Northwest Business Development Corp., and Washburn County Industrial Development Council. As President of the Bank of Spooner, he was an advocate for small business development, including establishing a revolving loan fund for new businesses and business expansions. He was awarded Businessman of the Year in 1991 and listed in WHO’S WHO of financial executives.

Tom was always willing to share his knowledge and lessons learned with anyone who asked. After retiring from the corporate world, he spent the last years of his life mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs, helping them to envision and achieve their lifelong dreams.

Tom even has a star named after him.

Join us to celebrate Tom’s life on Friday, January 24, 2025 at Gearhart Funeral Home, 11275 Foley Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN. Visitation at 3:00 pm and Memorial Service with Military Honors at 4:30 pm. Burial will be at a later date in the family plot in Centralia, IL.

In remembrance of Tom Kell, donations may be made to Tunnels to Tower Foundation, (https://t2t.org/). Since 9/11, Tunnels to Tower has been helping America’s heroes by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children, and by building specially-adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders.

Tom, you are missed.

Last Update: Jan 18, 2025 1:58 pm CST