Thomas Kelly Green passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at Big Sky Assisted Living at the age of 90.

Kell was born on May 19, 1932, the second son of Fred "Tuffer" and Mary Helen Kelly Green. He attended Immaculate Conception Grade School and was a life-long parishioner at the I.C. Kell graduated from Boys' Central High School in 1950 and then began an apprenticeship in carpentry with Cahill-Mooney Construction Company. Kell received his journeyman certification in 1954.

Later that year, due to a mine strike and a shortage of work, Kell joined the U.S. Navy and proudly served aboard the U.S.S. Hector, mostly in the Far East.

Kell returned to Butte after his honorable discharge and, utilizing the GI Bill, enrolled at Western Montana College to pursue a degree in education.

Kell was soon introduced to a beautiful little nurse from Anaconda who was living with the neighbor family. They began dating and Kell and Joanne Lalonde were married on August 29, 1959 in St. Peter's Church in Anaconda.

Kell and Jo then moved to Missoula as Jo had accepted a position with St. Patrick's Hospital. Kell transferred to the University of Montana, where he earned his degree in education in 1960.

Soon, thereafter, he and his buddy, Si Holman, accepted teaching positions in Moses Lake, Washington. Jo soon followed and son Dan joined the family in 1961.

They moved back to Butte in 1962 and Kell began his 30-year teaching career with School District #1.

In 1965, daughter Kelly Ann was born and the family was complete.

During his 30-year career, Kell taught English, History and Geography at East Junior High School, but spent the majority of his career as a Guidance Counselor. He later returned to Western, where he received his master's degree in Education. Kell finished his career as a counselor at Butte High School and retired in 1992.

Kell then had time to "golf" with his buddies, Jimmy Freebourn, Chuck Goforth and Lew Brown, at the Anaconda County Club where they always played the 18 ^th hole. This, of course, meant they teed off from the 18 ^th tee box on number 9, but nobody was any the wiser!

More than anything else, Kell loved his family: immediate, extended and otherwise. He always said that Jo was the smartest person he ever knew. He reveled in his children's accomplishments and always claimed bragging rights. He loved his granddaughters "to the moon and back," and they never ceased to amaze him.

Kell was great storyteller. He had a story for every occasion and, seemingly, everyone he knew. Kell loved to hold court.

Kell was a union man, a life-long Democrat and proud member of the B.P.O.E. He loved Notre Dame and Grizzly football (any football, really), World War II history, the poems of Robert Service and, most of all, Butte! He loved being from Butte and took every opportunity to let everyone know it.

The family wishes to thank Nursing Director Laura Cunningham and the entire staff of Big Sky Assisted Living for providing such great care of Kell during the last year. A special thank you goes out to the staff of Senior Solutions: specifically, Jackie Mickelsen, Deacon Dan McGrath, Paula Bracken, R.N., and Chris Mann, C.N.A. Finally, his other health care providers, Keri Ferguson, P.A., Mikelyn McCarthy, R.N., and Drs. Melody Nelsen and Clay Holley.

Kell was preceded in death by his mother and father and his three brothers, Fred, Bill and Bob.

Kell is survived by his wife of 63 years, Joanne, of Butte. Son Dan Green and his wife Rebecca Stewart of Spokane. Daughter Kelly Amtmann and granddaughters Aidan Amtmann, Hannah Amtmann and Devin Amtmann, all of Butte.   Also, special sister-in-law Bonnie Green of Anchorage, Alaska and her family: nieces Mary Helen Green of Anchorage; Julie Berberich and her husband Tony of Palmer, Alaska; nephew Mark Green and his wife Laura and their sons Henry and Charlie, also of Anchorage. Kell loved them all as if they were his own!

Kell is also survived by many cousins, in-laws, nieces and nephews and friends, too numerous to mention.

A service will be held on Wednesday, October 5 at 11:00 a.m. at the Duggan-Dolan Mortuary Chapel with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.