Thomas "Tommy" Arthur Edelen, "Colonel Sanders", 57 of Brandywine, MD, died on November 29, 2009 at St. Mary's Hospital, Leonardtown, MD. Born on October 26, 1952 in Lexington Park, MD. He was a lifelong resident of the Baden area and lived on his family farm where he raised tobacco.

Tommy was an Engineer for Charlotte Hall Veterans Home for 5 years and previously worked for the town of La Plata. He also enjoyed cutting hair for his local friends. His enjoyments included dancing, water skiing, crabbing, blue grass and blues music.

He is survived by his mother, Julia Doremus McPherson Edelen and the late Clinton Reynelda Edelen. He is also survived by his wife, Karen Ann Kolbe Edelen, children, Thomas Arthur Edelen, Jr., his partner, John Barrack, Christopher Adam Edelen and wife, Jennifer, Matthew Joseph Edelen and wife, Jaclyn, Kenny Myers and wife, Cathy, and Debbie L. Myers, sister, Betty Garner-Tippett and husband, Tommy Tippett, grandchildren, Christian J. and Mattalyn R. Edelen, Mandy, Alaurie, Deaunna, Gabriel, and Robert Myers, nephew and niece , Daniel and Breanne Garner.

Family will receive friends to Celebrate Tommy's Life on Friday, December 4, 2009 from 3-5 & 7-9 p.m., 7 p.m. prayers, at Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home, P.A., 30195 Three Notch Rd., Charlotte Hall, MD where a Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 11 a.m. with Reverend Thomas Gude. Interment will follow at Trinity Memorial Gardens, Waldorf, MD.

After service family and friends are welcome to join us at St. Pauls Parish, Baden M.D., for food, drinks and memories.

Arrangements provided by Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home, P.A.