Thomas Kelly Scanlan

With profound sadness, yet unwavering hope in Christ, we announce that Thomas Kelly Scanlan, age 64, entered the presence of his Savior on July 23, 2026, following a tragic car accident. Tom was born on April 8, 1962, in Chicago, Illinois.

Son of the late William and Grace Scanlan, Tom was raised in DuPage County, Illinois, where he attended public schools. A gifted student and natural leader, he served as drum major of his high school marching band and graduated as valedictorian from Willowbrook High School. He went on to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Software from the University of Illinois and later received a Master's Degree in Computer Engineering from Syracuse University.

Tom devoted his professional career to IBM, where he worked in New York, Florida, and North Carolina. Throughout his career, he led numerous projects and managed many teams with integrity, excellence, and a genuine commitment to the people he served. He was respected not only for his technical expertise but also for his encouragement, and care for his colleagues.

Tom was the son of a musician who started a music distribution company in Villa Park, IL, called “Scanlan Music”. One of his cherished items was a saxophone that his father had played when he was in the army band and Tom’s son played in his high school Jazz band. Tom was the Director of the IBM Big Band Sound for several years and passed his passion for music down to his sons, Michael and David.

In December 1985, Tom married the love of his life, Cheryl Dowd. Together they built a marriage and family centered on their shared faith in Jesus Christ. Tom was an active member of Crossroads Fellowship in Raleigh, faithfully serving through Promise Keepers, men's ministry, and numerous other church ministries over 30 years of residing in Raleigh, NC. In his final years, he poured countless hours into Promised Land Living, a discipleship ministry that reflected his passion for helping others grow in their faith. He also served many local ministries throughout the Raleigh area.

Tom was a connector, a natural teacher, and a humble servant. He found great joy in making other people's lives easier and had a remarkable gift for making everyone feel welcomed, valued, and like they belonged. His gentle spirit, and unwavering faith left a lasting impact on all who knew him.

Tom is survived by his beloved wife, Cheryl; his sons, Michael Scanlan and his wife, Cassie, and David Scanlan and his wife, Brianna; and his cherished grandchildren, Elizabeth Rose and Jaxon Isaiah. He was preceded in death by his grandchild, Riley, and joyfully anticipated the arrival of two more grandchildren, expected in November. He is also survived by his sister, Eileen Pusateri and her husband, Mike, of Chicago. Though his family was small in number, they were mighty in love, faith, and devotion to one another.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Monday, August 17, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Crossroads Fellowship, 2721 E. Millbrook Road, Raleigh, NC 27604. Family and friends are warmly invited to gather in celebration of Tom's life and the legacy he leaves behind.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Promised Land Living. Information on how to make memorial contributions is listed below under "Donations".