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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
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Thomas Francis Reilly Jr.
THOMAS FRANCIS REILLY JR.
Cedar Rapids
Thomas Francis Reilly Jr., 88, was reunited with his beautiful blushing bride, Joyce, on Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021, at the Iowa Veterans Home, Marshalltown. Family and friends are gathering from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids. Burial with military honors will be at a later date at Squires Cemetery.
Tom was born on Sept. 17, 1933, in Chicago, Ill., the son of Thomas and Eula (Maggart) Reilly Sr. He graduated from Milan High School and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri in 1955. Later that year, Tom joined the United States Air Force. Lt. Reilly flew F-86 Saberjets, and was especially proud of his service as one of 19 pilots at the time assigned to protect the US Capitol.
His life truly began on April 7, 1956, when he married Joyce Adams at Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. For nearly 62 years, Joyce was his one and only. She took care of the home and family while he traveled for his career.
Tom landed in Cedar Rapids with Farmsteads Foods before moving on into a long career in sales with Ayerst Pharmaceuticals, Weems Group, Osborne International Multifoods and Linn Photo. In retirement, his strong work ethic and people skills led him to drive school bus for Prairie. He could make friends with anyone and enjoyed staying active.
Tom's passion for flying continued long after his military service. He was a private pilot and charter member of the Cloud 9 Flying Club. Over the years, he also served as a Boy Scout leader and learned to grow the finicky sterling silver rose. His family and friends will greatly miss him.
Survivors include his children, Ted (Karen) Reilly and Melissa (Sam Schumacher) Reilly; grandson, Travis; brother, Timothy F. Reilly; and aunt, Lois Swearengen.
He was preceded by his parents; wife, Joyce; son, Christopher; sister-in-law, Frances Dardeau; and brother-in-law, James (Kathleen) Adams.
Please share your support and memories with Tom's family on his Tribute Wall at www.stewartbaxter.com under obituaries.
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