Thomas Gerald Cleary

Father, Grandfather, Brother, Uncle and Friend,

Thomas Gerald Cleary passed away Wednesday, May 14, 2014 in Cartersville, Ga. To the many family and friends that loved and adored him, Tom was a beloved father, a loyal friend, a gifted storyteller, and a skilled practical jokester with an infectious laugh and a love for anything and everything related to family, friends, music, history, and his family ancestry.

Tom was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 12th, 1944. He attended Mendel Catholic School and later graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from Roosevelt University. In Chicago he worked as an educator, an usher for Andy Frain Company and also held a position with Standard Oil. Always a huge fan of music and radio, Tom and his long time friend Ron Henningsen opened Cody Records in the mid-1960s where they recorded several garage band hits which can be heard on the Cody Records You Tube channel.

In the early 1970’s Tom relocated to Atlanta, Ga., for a position with ARC Security as General Manager. For over a decade he managed security for major venues including Hartsfield International Airport, The Omni, and The Republican National Convention, to name a few. He later purchased McGillis Flower Shop in 1984 located in Smyrna, Ga., and owned the business until the early 1990’s followed by providing delivery services for Metro Atlanta Co-op. He later partnered again with Ron Henningsen owning and operating retail kiosks located in shopping centers throughout Atlanta.

He was preceded in death by his beloved mother Kathleen M. Cleary (nee Flanagan), father Thomas G. Cleary, and brother-in-law Edmund Krysinski.

Tom had three children, six grandchildren a nephew and two nieces who he loved and adored. Daughter Colleen Erin Cleary of Cartersville, Ga., (spouse Jack Root) and her children Madison Kay Smith, Jacob Thomas Smith, Andrew Justin Aryal; Daughter Megan Amanda Cleary-Jurkovic of Cumming, Ga., (spouse Josip Jurkovic) and her children Nevin Milan Jurkovic and Mia Noelle Jurkovic; Son Adam Hayden Cleary of Johns Creek, Ga., (spouse Courtney Cleary) and their son Hayden Zen Cleary.

He is survived by his sister Mary Jean Krysinski (nee Cleary) of Dyer, Indiana and her three children Julie Motti, Kenny Krysinski and Linda Krysinski. He also leaves behind his beloved English sheepdog, Sherlock.

Services will be held Thursday, May 22, 2014 at 3 PM at St. Francis of Assisi in Cartersville, Ga. Tom will be laid to eternal rest at Oak Hill Cemetery in Cartersville, Ga. The family will receive friends Thursday from 12:30 – 2:30 PM at Owen Funeral Home.

One of Tom’s Cody Records stories: http://www.garagehangover.com/omens/

The Omens 1966 recording of “Searching” at Cody Records on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03WmCzvcouw

As Tears Go By by Carol and The Omens recorded in 1966 on Cody Records label: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bP3ma9HPHFA

Owen Funeral Home, 12 Collins Dr., Cartersville, GA, has charge of the funeral arrangements.