Thomas Joseph Whelan, Jr.

Please click here to view the services of Mr. Thomas Whelan on August 30th

Thomas (Tom) J. Whelan, Jr. of Crofton, MD died at home surrounded by his family on August 18, 2024, after a 10 month battle with Kidney Cancer. Tom was born in Washington, DC to Thomas J. Whelan, Sr. and Harriet (Dye). Tom was predeceased by his parents; older brother, Patrick; son-in-law, Frederick Opoku; and his beloved wife of 57 years, Kay (Davis). Tom was raised in the Brookland section of NE Washington where he played ball and made lifelong friends at Turkey Thicket playground. Tom graduated from Archbishop Carroll High School in 1959 and earned his Bachelor’s Degree from University of Maryland College Park, where he was ROTC. Tom began his career at Goddard Space Flight Center. He went on to earn his Juris Doctor degree at Columbus School of Law at Catholic University. Upon passing the Bar Exam in Maryland and DC, he transferred to NASA Headquarters and had a distinguished career in procurement, earning the Exceptional Service Medal in 1991. Tom was commissioned into the Navy Reserves and served in Intelligence for 25 years, retiring as a Commander. Tom married Kay Davis of Frederick, MD in 1966 and raised three daughters in Crofton, coaching their softball teams and volunteering at their Crofton Swim & Tennis swim meets. Tom was an active member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. He served in Youth and Adult Faith Formation and on the Parish Finance Committee. He was awarded the Baltimore Archdiocesan Medal of Honor, in 2000, by Bishop William Newman. Tom was a car enthusiast. He owned several classic cars, including a 1934 Ford Coupe, a 1967 Pontiac LeMans, and a 1966 Mustang. As a member of the Toy Train Association of America, Tom collected and repaired Lionel trains. He also enjoyed camping along Skyline Drive, cycling along the C&O Canal, and hiking at Harpers Ferry, WV. Tom is survived by daughters, Kathryn (Anthony) Callum of Chalfont. PA, Margaret Whelan of Crofton, and Maureen Opoku of Aurora, CO. He is survived by grandchildren, Mary Callum of Baltimore, MD; and Thomas and William Callum of Chalfont PA.

Friends and relatives are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, August 30, 2024 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Crofton, MD. Visitation will begin at the church at 10:00am and Mass will be held at 11:00. Interment will be held privately at a later date. Donations in Tom’s memory can be made to Archbishop Carroll HS or Sarah’s House. Please go to www.BeallFuneral.com for more information. 

Donations in Tom’s Memory may be made to:

Sarah’s House

Attn: Bruce Clopein2015 20th Street

Fort Meade, MD 20755

Please make check payable to: Sarah’s House (write: in memory of Tom Whelan in Memo Line)

Class of ‘59 Scholarship Fund

Visit www.achsdc.org and click on the Make A Donation Today! tab that appears to the right on each picture. On the donation form, note this gift is in memory of Thomas J. Whelan.

If mailing a check, please make check payable to Archbishop Carroll High School and include Thomas J. Whelan on the memo line, and mail to:

Archbishop Carroll High School

Attn: Mark Savercool

4300 Harewood Rd, NE

Washington, DC 20017