The Reverend Timothy John Vellom

The Reverend Timothy John Vellom, beloved husband and father, and devoted Episcopal Priest in the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, went home to the loving arms of Jesus on Thursday evening, January 9, 2025.

Tim was highly respected among his clergy peers, friends, and family for his wisdom, humility, compassion, integrity to the Gospel, and the ability to have fun. At the core of his soul he was a pastor. His care and concern for the people of his congregations are what moved and motivated him as a priest. He ministered to so many, both congregants and others, with deep compassion, humility, grace, and the certain knowledge that Jesus is Lord.

Tim was born January 22, 1958 into a Navy family to Capt. Lee S. and Anne P. Vellom. He spent most of his formative years in Charleston, SC, and attended Porter Gaud Episcopal School. He then went on to the University of the South where he met his wife of 44 years, Ann Rubsamen Vellom. They met singing in the music ministry of the Campus Christian group. Their love of music and singing was a mainstay in their marriage and an important part of the work they did together in the church.

Tim discerned his call to ministry at the age of 17. It was for this reason he had to ask Ann to marry him 4 times! She was not sure she was called to be a wife of a minister, but found there really was no other life she would have preferred. Ann and Tim were married at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on January 3, 1981. He was sent to seminary at Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry (now Trinity Anglican School for Ministry) under Bishop Scott Field Bailey, and was ordained to the diaconate on June 20, 1985 at St. Mark’s. After the service, the Reverend Ed Harvey personally drove Tim and Ann to Corpus Christi where Tim served first as an assistant and then as an associate rector of All Saints’ Episcopal Church until 1988. Tim was ordained to the priesthood at All Saints on January 3, 1986, on his fifth wedding anniversary to Ann.

While they were in Corpus Christi, Ann and Tim had two daughters, Hannah Elise and Sarah Grace. Tim shared with them his love of literature, music, and adventure. His empathy and gentleness made him an amazing father. He instilled in his children his values of compassion, service to others, and love of the world.

In the spring of 1988, Bishop John MacNaughton asked Tim to serve as Vicar of Trinity Church, Edna, with the charge of bringing it to full parish status in five years. With the Lord’s help and confidence, Trinity Edna became a full parish in 4 years and called Tim as their rector. In 1993, Tim answered a call to serve as Rector of St. James Church and school in Del Rio, Texas. In Edna and Del Rio, Tim was very involved in the local ministerial alliances and as a volunteer chaplain to the hospitals. Tim spent the last 25 years of his active ministry as Rector of St. Matthew’s, Universal City. During this time he also ministered to the people of the Army Residence Community with weekly services and pastoral care. He cherished the relationships he formed with all his congregations, and they are forever held in his heart.

Tim also served the Diocese of West Texas in many ways. He was a dean for many sessions at Camp Capers and served on multiple Cursillo teams over the years. His diocesan work included, but was not limited to, serving on the Happening Board, Standing Committee, Executive Board, and the Examining Chaplains. He loved the Diocese of West Texas, its people and mission.

Outside the Diocese Tim also gave 25 years of service to Global Teams International, formally Episcopal World Mission. His work with Global Teams enabled many in the mission field to live out their passion for Christ and for people around the world, seeking to “see the heart of Christ in the skin of every culture”.

Tim was “a friend of Bill” for over 35 years. He was committed to his sobriety and cherished the relationships he made through this fellowship.

Tim and Ann also spent the first year after his retirement volunteering at the Abode Home for the Dying. There Tim was able to continue to use his pastoral gifts for guests and their families during the holy time of their loved ones' last days.

Tim was preceded in death by his parents Lee “Skip” and Anne Vellom, his sister, Mary Beth Corning, and two infant brothers, Lee and James. He is survived by his loving wife Ann, daughter Hannah Elise Bradley (Matthew), daughter Sarah Grace Vellom, and two grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings Dan, Paul (Karen), and Dottie (Luke), as well as his brother in law Rollins Rubsamen (Heather), and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at 11am on Friday, February 28, 2025 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, San Antonio, Texas. A private family interment at the Bishop Jones Center will follow after the reception. Clergy are invited to vest with white stoles and to process.

The family would like to thank Mr. Lonnie White for his care for Tim and the “great adventures” he and Tim enjoyed together. We also want to thank the team from Hosparus Hospice and the staff, nurses and caregivers of the Episcopal Church Home, Clingman neighborhood, Louisville, Kentucky.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, The Alzheimer’s Association; or The Abode Home for the Dying.

In his final days Tim was comforted by the words and music of John Michael Talbot. The following are lyrics from Tim’s favorite song:

Healer of my soul

Keep me at even

Keep me at morning

Keep me at noon

Healer of my soul

Keeper of my soul

On rough course faring

Help and safeguard my means this night

Keeper of my soul

I am tired, astray, and stumbling

Shield my soul from the snare of sin

Healer of my soul

Heal me at even

Heal me at morning

Heal me at noon

Healer of my soul

Please click this link to view the livestream service: https://www.stmarks-sa.org/private-stream