Roll Call Tribute

Thomas (Tom) Lee Gailey, 71, of Keller, Texas passed away peacefully with his family at his bedside on Friday, February 28th, 2020 in Fort Worth, Texas. Tom was diagnosed with lung cancer in May 2014, followed by treatment and removal of his right lung in October 2014. He was cancer free 5 ½ years before it returned.

Tom was born in Sterling, Colorado to Sam and Maxine Gailey. His family moved several times in Nebraska as his parents were teachers, living in Aurora, Lincoln, Hay Springs (which he considered his “hometown”) and graduated from David City High School in 1966, then went on to graduate from Texas A&M University in May 1971. His sister, Kathy became good friends with Shirley, made the introduction to Tom and they were married in June of 1971.

While living in Hay Springs as early as an elementary student he was encouraged to consider the aviation field. Texas A&M was one of a few colleges that offered aerospace engineering. His career was strictly in the aviation field, working at Cessna in Wichita, KS three different times, Downey, CA at Rockwell Int’l on the space shuttle, 5 years at Mooney Aircraft in Kerrville, TX and in 1985 Tom was employed at Bell Helicopter, retiring after 28 years in December 2012. Highlights of his career took him to Montreal, Switzerland, Australia and Thailand. Tom took very seriously his position as a DER (Designated Engineering Representative) to the FAA while at Bell.

Tom earned his private pilot’s license while in college, joined the Cessna Flying club and became a certified flight instructor which turned into a second job teaching in the evenings and on weekends. He made certain that every student was proficient in recovering from stalls.

As a child he had a paper route that paid for his model airplane hobby, beginning with “control line” planes–in college this included combat matches. Several years before his retirement he became interested in radio control airplanes, and was currently a member of the 114th Flying Club where he enjoyed the friendship of his friends, preferring to fly early in the morning just at sunrise when the winds were minimal.
Other hobbies and interests included his membership in EAA (Experimental Aircraft Assoc) and while living in Kerrville, he and 3 friends each purchased the same “KR2” kit. Tom had his airplane near completion when he and Kurt took up cross country motorcycle racing and was a member of TCCRA, both expensive and time-consuming hobbies, so the airplane (in parts complete with engine) was sold. The family vacationed many years in the Gunnison, Colorado area where Tom enjoyed trout fishing and encouraged his kids and grandkids to fish. Tom’s strong work ethic was evident in the maintenance of his vehicles, specifically how he changed the oil – flushing the oil 2 times in one oil change. He rebuilt the engine for his MGB and restored a VW bug which he drove to work but more importantly drove it on the narrow rocky trails in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.


Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Maxine Gailey, Kathy Gailey (sister), Bryan Peterson (father-in-law) and Keith Peterson (brother-in-law).

Survivors include his wife, Shirley Gailey of Keller, TX; daughter, Kim Gailey of Fort Worth, TX; son, Kurt and Amber Gailey of Haslet, TX. Grandchildren include Chase Morrison, Sydnee Gailey, Karlee Gailey, Harli Henry, Baze Gailey and Lux Gailey. Other family members include mother-in-law Carolyn Peterson of Ord, Nebraska, sister-in-law Dianne Worm and husband Bruce, of Ord, Nebraska, brother-in-law Dale Peterson and wife Jeanne of Ord, Nebraska, sister-in-law Pat Setlik and husband Chuck of Loup City, Nebraska, sister-in-law Nancy Wright and husband Fred of Kansas City, Missouri, and sister-in-law Christy Peterson of Ord, Nebraska, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A celebration of life is postponed at Paradise Cove, Southlake, Texas. A memorial service at the Ord Methodist Church Fellowship Hall will be had at a later date.

The family suggests memorials be made to Metroport Meals On Wheels, PO Box 204, Roanoke, TX 76262; The American Cancer Society, or the American Lung Association.

Condolences for the family may be offered at www.lonestarcremation.com

Copyright © 2020 · Lone Star Cremation