Thomas Eugene Alsip

Thomas E. Alsip, 86, died peacefully in the early morning hours of Sunday, January 7, 2024.Tom was born November 20, 1937, to Edgar and Mary Alsip, who lived on the south side of Indianapolis, near Garfield Park. Tom attended St. Catherine parochial school and then graduated from Cathedral High School in 1955. Having completed his undergraduate degree from Indiana University in Bloomington, he entered law school at Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis.

However, having served in Air Force ROTC while completing his undergraduate degree, Tom paused law school to complete his required 5 years of active duty with the Air Force from 1961 to 1966. During this time, Tom completed flight school and then B-52 flight school and was assigned to the 17th Bomber Wing out of Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, where, by the age of 27, he was commander of a B-52 bomber.

Also during these years, Tom married his first wife, Linda, and began his family. Following his active duty, Tom resumed law school in Indianapolis, attending law school at night and working at the RCA plant during the day. Tom was admitted to the practice of law in May of 1970, and by then had been working out of the law offices of attorney Duge Butler, a prominent criminal defense attorney. Tom proceeded to work in various capacities in the criminal law system, including as a deputy prosecutor, as a public defender, as a special judge, as well as in private practice.

January 1, 1982, Tom became Judge of the Marion County Superior Court, Criminal Division 6, to which he had been appointed by then Gov. Robert Orr. At the same time, he continued with the Air Force Reserve, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and Commanding Officer of the 72nd Air Refueling Squadron, and had also been Director of Operations of the 931st Air Refueling Group out of Grissom Air Force Base in Indiana.

After retiring from the Air Force Reserve and Marion County Superior Court, Tom resumed private legal practice in Indianapolis. In 1997, he married Sylvia Pedersen, and they were blessed with over 26 years of marriage, during which time they enjoyed many overseas adventures and welcomed many new additions to their combined families.

Tom is survived by his wife, Sylvia and her family Peter, Thomas, and Clair, his children with first wife Linda Alsip: Christopher (Kathy), Jennifer (Peter), Janet, and Jacqueline. His grandchildren Cory, Mike, Kendall, Ryan, Samuel, and Peter, his great-grandchild Ophelia, his brother Richard (Teresa) Alsip, and many nieces and nephews.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Mary Alsip; and his brother, Frank Alsip. Tom's funeral will be this Friday, January 12, 2024, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 7243 East 10th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46219, on the east-side of Indy. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the church. The funeral mass will be at 4:00 p.m.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Holy Spirit Catholic Church.