Thomas "Tom" E. Gunn

Mr. Thomas (Tom) Edward Gunn, affectionately known as “Papa Gunn”, was the son of Claudis and Rosa Lee Manning Gunn. He was born April 18, 1941 in Pee Dee Kentucky as the third child of five children. Shortly after his birth, his family moved to Hopkinsville, Kentucky.

In 1945, the Gunn family moved to Indianapolis, Indiana. At the age of nine, Thomas professed a hope in Christ and was baptized under the pastorate of the late F.K. Dillard at Greater Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church. Thomas loved the Lord and remained an active and committed member of his church until his death. He was a Trustee of the church, a Communion Server, sang in the Male Chorus and served on the Usher Ministry.

Thomas attended Indianapolis Public Schools and graduated from Arsenal Technical High School. After graduating, Thomas joined the United States Air Force and served until 1963. Upon returning home, Thomas joined Eli Lilly and Company and retired in 1998 after 35 years. While working at Eli Lilly, Thomas received several recognitions, awards and promotions, but his greatest joy was the opportunity to coordinate the company’s Senior High School Big Brother Program for 8 years.

Thomas was a sports lover. He coached his sons’ sports teams, attended his grandkids’ games and was a season ticket holder of the Indiana Pacers and Indianapolis Colts for many years. He was well versed in basketball and football. He knew the rules of the game, names of the players and could recant scores, statistics and memorable plays from recent and past years.

Thomas was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, neighbor and child of God. He departed this life on Sunday, October 31, 2021 and joined his mother, father, sister Carrie Blane, nephew Markham (Ham) Blane, late wife Joan Young, late mother-in-law Helen Stephens and his close friend Sam Scott.

Thomas leaves to mourn and cherish his memory, his loving wife, Patricia; daughter, Susan Gaston; sons Darryl (Julie) and Duane Gunn, Robert and Royce (June) Cheatham; his brothers John (Jacqueline) and Dennis Gunn (Eve); sisters Hattie Muex, Jennie Grimes and Jennifer Harrod; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, church family, friends and special friends Harvey Shannon and Johnny Smith.