Thomas James Connly, 80, of Kennewick, Washington, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, at his daughter’s home in Hawaii under hospice care after a four-year-long battle with metastatic lung cancer.

Tom was born in Albert Lea, the youngest of three sons born to Ralph James and Florence Helen Connly. He was a 1956 graduate of Albert Lea High School and lived in Kennewick since 2005.

He is survived by his daughter, Patricia Anne Lee (Colin); son, Daniel James Connly; and grandchildren Scott (Tiana) Lee, Christina (William Doom) Lee, Steven (Leslie) Connly, Jack (Abby) Connly, Mark (Jessica) Connly, Sven Lee and Sean (Jessica Lewis) Lee. He is also survived by great-grandchildren Wesley, Amanda, Spencer, Danni Lynn, Ethan and Hina.

Tom was a retired United States Air Force radar superintendent awarded medals for National Defense Service, Meritorious Service, Commendation and Good Conduct. After the Air Force he enjoyed a long career with Alyeska Pipeline Service Co., retiring as a pump station supervisor. Throughout the years he piloted his own small plane and performed a variety of technical maintenance and repair work including electronic, electrical, appliance, refrigeration and more. He enjoyed using his fix-it skills to serve with the Canyon Lakes Helping Hands team in Kennewick up until his cancer diagnosis.

A private service with military honors took place Jan. 17 at National Memorial Center of the Pacific in Honolulu, and his urn was interred with that of his wife, Grace Elizabeth Connly, who passed away Aug. 11, 2018.

Arrangements were provided by Oahu Cemetery and Crematory.