Tommy Howard Bellomy, 98 of Scottsboro passed away peacefully on Monday, September 20, 2021. Private graveside services were held for the family at Cedar Hill Cemetery with Terry Broome and Steve Chandler officiating.
He was born on Wednesday, December 27, 1922 to David and Estell Bellomy. After graduating from Jackson County High, he enlisted in the Army-Air Force during World War II with the intention to become an airplane mechanic, but his typing skills moved him into communications. He served overseas in India and was stationed in Shanghai after the war ended. His ship arrived back stateside in time for him to listen to the ship’s radio to Alabama playing in the Rose Bowl on January 1, 1946. He was proud to have served his country in WWII. Upon his return, he married his sweetheart, Viola Letson, whom he had met earlier while home on leave. They had a wonderful life together for 27 years until her untimely death in 1973. Later, mutual friends introduced him to Eleanor Faulkner, whom he married in 1975. They were also blessed with 27 years together until her death in 2002. Mr. Bellomy said, “I had two wonderful wives and two wonderful lives.”
Mr. Bellomy was involved in rural electrification, wiring homes for electricity at the end of WWII before working as a bookkeeper for Campbell Pontiac. He was appointed Postmaster in Scottsboro in 1954 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, completed a qualifying exam and served as Postmaster until his retirement in 1989. He served as president of the Alabama Chapter of the National Association of the Postmasters of the United States and enjoyed traveling to national, regional and state conventions. He was also called upon to train new postmasters.
He was also a volunteer fire fighter in Scottsboro, a member of the Civitan Club and led a United Way campaign. He was also a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, Alabama football and the Scottsboro Wildcats. He kept the clock in basketball and a portion of the football scoreboard for the Wildcats for years. He was also a volunteer usher at Legion Field.
Mr. Bellomy led a blessed life serving God, his family and his country. He was a faithful Christian, serving the Broad Street Church of Christ as an elder for over 50 years after first serving as a deacon. He oversaw three building programs at the church as well as serving many other capacities. He loved standing at the back of the auditorium at the end of services to greet each person there.
Mr. Bellomy was a loving father and patriarch to his family. He was also a man of few words, but the words he shared conveyed great wisdom. A kind and gentle servant, he left a great legacy and will be sorely missed by his family and friends.
He is survived by his daughters, Jennifer (Steve) Chandler, Janet Necklaus, Judy (Larry) Falkner, Jennifer (Jeff) Smith; sons, James (Jan) Falkner, Kenneth Falkner; son-in-law, John Poore; 13 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Viola Bellomy; second wife, Eleanor Bellomy; daughter, Annette Poore; granddaughter; brother, David Bellomy, Jr.; sisters, Zelma Sharp, Annie Anderson, Emily Bradford, Hispanola Caldwell; and their spouses.
The family would like to thank Southern Estates Assisted Living for their excellent care and love for Mr. Bellomy and the family during the two years he lived there. The family would also like to thank Southern Care New Beacon Hospice for their wonderful care this last year. And lastly, a special thanks to Dr. Christopher Clayton and staff for their years of exceptional care.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial be made to Broad Street Church of Christ, 613 South Broad Street, Scottsboro, Ala. 35768 or to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 or to a charity of your choice.