Dempsey G. Barnes

Thomas Harry Earley 91, of Decatur passed away peacefully on March 29, 2025 at Decatur Morgan Hospital surrounded by his family. Tom was born in Birmingham, Alabama on November 18, 1933 to Harry and Beatrice Earley. He attended Shades Valley High School and Auburn University, where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity and graduated in 1956. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves, and then went on to work as a territory manager for National Cement Company for 40 years. Upon retirement, he was the recipient of the first annual Tom Earley Award of Excellence. Tom was active in the Decatur First United Methodist Church and enjoyed golfing with his golfing buddies, traveling, and spending time with his family. He especially enjoyed his grandchildren and great grandson, who knew him as Papa. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother James W. Earley. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary Hall Earley; daughter Scottie Earley-Moss (Scott); son Thomas Jeffrey Earley (Lisa); grandchildren, Jeffrey Davis Earley, Morgan Moss Beard (Kienan), Nelson Phillip Earley, and Jonah Michael Moss; great-grandson James Micah Beard; and brother William R. Earley (Ann), and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be April 5, 2025 from 11:00- 12:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Decatur. Funeral service to follow at 12:00 p.m. at the church with Rev. Alex Beaube officiating. Ridout’s Brown Service Funeral Home is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to First United Methodist Church of Decatur or Decatur Morgan Hospital Foundation.