Thomas "Tom" James Kearney, age 80, of Lake City, FL passed away on July 19, 2024. Tom was born on June 11, 1944 in Viroqua, WI. Tom was predeceased by his wife, Mary Lee Kearney (Wells, O'Hara); parents, Lawrence Edward Kearney and Ethel Lucille Kearney (Leahy); and siblings William, Mary Hirschfield (Kearney), Lawrence Jr., and Joseph.

After graduating from Desoto High School in 1962, Tom enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. Over the next 23 years, Tom served as a Medical Surgical Assistant at numerous locations including Seymour Johnson AFB, NC; Vietnam; MacDill AFB, FL (3 tours); Lakenhealth RAF, England; and Elmendorf AFB, AK. It was at Seymour Johnson AFB, NC that Tom meet the love of his life, Mary Lee. Tom and Mary Lee were married on July 12, 1971, and remained devoted to each other until Mary Lee passed on March 9, 2016.

Tom retired from active duty with the USAF in October 1985 and was hired by the Veterans Administration (VA) as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at the VA Medical Center, Lake City, FL. Tom retired from federal civil service in 2008, after 22 years of additional service to our country and veterans. Tom was a devout Christian and a member of The Dwelling Place (formerly Good Tithing) Assembly of God church.

After retirement, Tom enjoyed spending many hours working in his yard and helping care for family members. Tom loved to travel, visiting many parts of our country, including various National Parks, in addition to numerous trips to Alaska for salmon fishing and to Wyoming to snowmobile.

Tom is survived by John Kearney, brother (Michaelene), Janesville, WI; Therese Fortney (Kearney), twin-sister, West Salem, WI; Dennis, brother (Bonnie), Viroqua, WI; Winston R. Wells, step-son, West Palm Beach, FL; Dean C. Wells, step-son ( Liz), West Palm Beach, FL; and Bruce Kennedy, step-son-in-law (Sandy), Panama City, FL; numerous grand and great-grandchildren (step); along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A Memorial Service for Tom will be held on July 25, 2024, 3:00 PM, in the Gateway-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Memorial Chapel. The family will receive visitors starting at 2:00 PM. Immediately following the service, internment will be at the Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery, next to his wife. Reverend John Dumas will be officiating.