John Thomas Ely

John Thomas Ely, "Tom", 75, of Louisville, Kentucky, passed away on Sunday March 21, 2021. Tom was born in Louisville, Kentucky on February 2, 1946. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Frances Sharon Ely, Daughter Tracy Ely, brother in law, Jesse M. Goldsmith all of Louisville. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, John J. Ely "J.J", and Patsy McGirr Ely, and sister Mary Lou Goldsmith.

Tom's first job was when he was five years old. He helped his mother Patsy sell vegetables. Tom used to say: "I had my first job when I was five years old and I've been semi-retired ever since." When Tom was thirteen, he left home and found himself in Kansas. In Kansas he became a magazine salesman. Here he met a mentor who gave him the nickname of "Bulldog". By the time Tom was 16, he had moved to California and had 15-18 people working for him. This was just the beginning of Toms business ventures. He was a businessman for over 50 years, owning Ely International. His business ventures took Tom and Sharon to the Caribbean Islands, Puerto Rico, Canada, Alaska, China (11 times!), Thailand, Bali and Italy, mostly while on the hunt for glass pieces. He always had a small army of boys that he trained as his employees. He mentored them by showing them the trade of salesmanship and always instilled the value of looking sharp when they report to work. Mentoring was important to Tom because he had five mentors who he loved and respected, that helped him through the years. Those mentors taught Tom how to become a salesman, honest and disciplined and helped him become the man that he was today. He loved to travel. His last trip was to Cuba. And upon his return he kept saying everyone would refer to him as "Ernest Hemingway".

Upon turning 18, Tom found himself in the United States Navy. During his time in the Navy, he served with the JAG (Judge Advocate General). In 1967, Tom was out of the Navy and returned to Louisville. He and Sharon met at a dance held at Whispering Hills Country Club, on a Sunday night in February. The two were married in January of 1968. This was just the beginning of Tom and Sharon's 53-year wedding journey. In the spring of 1968, Tom and Sharon happened upon blown glass swan sets that an artist had made. Tom wholesaled the glass swan sets and this began his retail sales venture. He found himself in retail sales, owning shops in multiple venues across the country; malls, fairs, retail stores, etc. At the height of their business, Tom and Sharon had dozens of locations across the country.

In November of 1978 the Ely's welcomed their beloved daughter Tracy into the world. Tracy was born with lots of challenges, but she became everything to Tom and Sharon. Their life became dedicated to Tracy's well-being and survival.

In the early 2000's, the Ely's had contracts for glass sales in numerous military commissaries. Tom and Sharon traveled in their motor home cross country with their daughter, Tracy. Tracy loved to travel and learned so much while traveling to multiple military bases with her parents.

The Ely family held a booth at the KY state fair for 50+ years. They never missed a year until Covid-19 hit. 2019 was the Ely's last year at the fair and since then they have been retired.

Visitation will be from 10:00am to 11:00am on Monday, April 5, 2021 at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions, East Louisville Chapel, 235 Juneau Drive, Louisville, Kentucky, with a celebration of Tom's life at 11am there. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Norton Children's Hospital in honor of Tracy Ely.


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