From a quote I once heard, the lamp may be gone, but his light still exists. His memory will live with us forever.

An Irish Funeral Prayer

Death is nothing at all.
It does not count.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
Everything remains as it was.
The old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched,
unchanged.
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by the old familiar name.
Speak of me in the easy way which you always used.
Put no sorrow in your tone.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed
together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effort.
Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was.
There is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just
around the corner.
All is well. Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost.
One brief moment and all will be as it was before.
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting, when we meet again.

Read by Rob Walsh (Father)

In the Time allotted, I’d like to tell a story of a “Friend” (friend never sat well with me) I call him a brother, his mom a mother and his dad, father…I’ll speak on his behalf and assume he considers my family the same. to clarify I say story & not eulogy, which at its roots in Latin means to praise. I’m not here to praise or shame. I’m here to tell the truth of a life I witnessed & was a part of for the better part of 25 years. A man who helped me to where I’m at today. This isn’t a piece of writing. It’s my interpretation of a life lived full….Take that interpretation as you may. …in 1998 We were exactly two months apart- He April. Myself June. We had five things in common within five minutes Pride, A weird smirk, same age, same vans & we both agreed to throw pop it’s at the cars passing below the gutter on Briarcliff. A street filled with kids the same age In each house. Afforded every opportunity life had to offer. Sometimes more than enough. Growing up on Grandbriar was like being a goonie. If you didn’t know how to get through the drainpipes & cut through the back slopes to get to each other’s house. Then you weren’t doing it right! I will say there are many stories of triumph and tragedy on Grandbriar. nonetheless. Love. Attention. Food. There was no shortage of on Grandbriar…. 

Indy accelerated in academic’s & Sports, i had a knack for grabbing people’s attention and swaying a crowd Indy knew how to follow suit- as he excelled on paper, I struggled to channel my energy & impulses to focus on singular tasks or stay present in the moment, in little league I would stare at the birds or the bugs. I’d rearrange my room and reorganize everything once a week. He never Saw it as odd. Or judged me. Now we don’t share that trait, he instinctively knew if things were messy, I would stress out. He’d help me clean or sometimes say come back in 15 minutes.

Athletically Indy was either Captain, Starting or bumped up to Varsity...hockey, football and lacrosse. We both had different interests and similar dislikes. I believe we walked alongside each other’s flaws and gifts all our lives. In time it developed into an unspoken, unmentioned crystal-clear agreement. If it’s one. It’s both of us. For better or worse …I don’t think we knew then; the damage that would have on our own personal relationships with ourselves and the distance it put between us later in Life. Indy gave me no choice but to be confident. Whether it was blind or calculated. He truly believed in me. This phrase took a turn later in life. “Wills with us. Nothing’s gonna happen” for a while that stood true. In my naive young mind. That felt like responsibility. I felt needed. The synchronicity was nothing short of a phenomenon. 

One day during a scantron test he and I caught eyes as we walked up to turn in the test, instinctively he sneezed, fake tripped and fumbled his pencil towards the teacher sliding his scantron to me. I grabbed a blank one and said excuse me could I have a new pencil. He easily took an AP extra credit assignment to make up for the loss, I believe good intentions are moot unless motives are aligned. I believe Indy’s motives were pure. Lack of life experience and transparency with our parents led us astray. I know now our perspective was subjective to our experience in life….I can say we enabled each other. I can say we picked each other up after knocking each other down. Each time stronger than before.

In time callouses grew. Some in the right places, some in the wrong. We struggled as early teens. Each our own worst enemy. Dumbfounded as to how we slipped up. Where we went wrong. We couldn’t ask for help. We had to either figure it out or lie and try to figure it out as we went. That cycle perpetuated. Into more avoidance and more dismissal of our present circumstances. Eventually delusion for me. Indy went the other route as I fell deep in addiction…as Indy was on a scholarship for lacrosse at GCU. I wasn’t as incognito as I believed as I was….word traveled & he drove down with friends. He found me & refused to leave without me. I had prior commitments and as a man of my word he understood I needed to fulfill. 11 hours later. Enough trauma and culture shock to trigger fight, flight or freeze. We made it to Arizona. Without skipping a beat. Wherever Indy landed, it was on ten toes. Gracefully maybe not so much. Nonetheless. Dressed and ready. Sometimes not even dressed. He had the same infectious allure he had in high school. Yet I had evolved into more a self-concerned person. He forced me into community. Bonds. Friendships that still stand today. 

I say all that to say this…. Sometime we did the best we could, with what we had, where we were at……In our hearts it felt good. It takes years to realize the our feelings are not facts, they come & go….don’t attach an ending to a story when you can live a life of dreams. I try to do the hard work by looking at myself in the mirror. I try to see where I’m wrong and why others might be right. Indy knows that too. I fall short every day. I’ve smoked with the thinkers and drank with the preachers & have yet to meet a good man who says he has all the answers.

I’d like to personally address Killian, Kingston and Roman. I’d like to tell you that Indiana Lee Walsh, your Father was nothing short of a miracle & blessing. A heart so big it hurt to carry. Feelings so strong no words could describe. A Love SO BIG it’ll last every single day of the entirety of our lives. I implore you to ask every question to the person you trust the most about what you want to know. You can believe what you tell yourself or seek the truth to the best of your ability. The truth I, & many others know is your Dad loved you unconditionally. He wants you to be greater than yesterday. That’s all. One day at a time will pass, life will happen, and you might see, hear or feel the pain your father felt. I know that to be true because I know how much he loved me. 

Indy said this to me in his last days. I’ll paraphrase “The boys can’t go through what we did. We did it for them. We fought a hundred battles. Make sure we tell them we took all the pain, anger, jealousy, confusion, insecurity and hate in the world so they could know a life of LOVE, joy, laughter, tolerance and the three most esteemed traits your Dad strived for: Self-respect, Dignity & Grace. Things I fall short of every day. I love you all. 

I’ll end with an excerpt from Bukowski “blue bird” . . . . 

“There’s a bluebird in my heart that wants to get out, but I’m too tough for him. I say, stay in there, I’m not going to let anybody see you. There’s a bluebird in my heart that wants to get out but I’m too clever. I only let him out at night sometimes when everybody’s asleep. I say, I know that you’re there, so don’t be sad. Then I put him back. But he’s singing a little in there, happily. I haven’t quite let him die…..and we sleep together like that with our secret pact and it’s nice enough to make a man weep. But I don’t weep, do you?” 

INDY I LOVE YOU. Thx for letting the bird fly.

Will Van Zandt
 

Indy & Chantel were the first of my husbands’ friends I met when we started dating almost 8 years ago. At first, Chantel and I were slightly pushed to be friends because our husbands wanted to hang out so often, but that situation turned into one of the most meaningful friendships I’ve ever had.
Our families have been very close. Our children have grown up together as cousins, and the four of us have grown so much together over the years. I am so thankful for all the memories we have made together from christmases, birthdays, trick or treating, fairs, vacations, double dates, and all the visits we got when they were in town to go to Costco. 
Indy & I talked a few days before he passed. The last thing I told him is how loved he is by his family and friends, and the last thing he said to me was “Take care of Chantel & the boys, They are all that matters.” We’ll never let his memory fade. We love and miss you. Rip my friend…

The first time I saw Indy was from the backseat of my parents’ car as we drove down the street towards our house. 

Frankie – who I disliked quite a bit – moved out, and I had been anxiously waiting to see who would move in. I’m sure Clayton, Sean, and Will were anxiously excited as well. 

Would the new neighbors have kids? Would the kids be our age? Would we like them? Would we hate them? And as I peered out the rear window, I spotted the new kid. A boy! Our age! And “oh! He’s cute!”

Although excited to meet him, I put on my tough demeanor. I remember thinking: this kid must know he can’t just come to our block and join our tight little gang without being put to the test somehow. He’s got to earn it. 

And although I don’t remember the specifics of our first meeting, I do remember quickly acknowledging the way he completed our dynamic. The fit was just right. More than that, it was as though Will’s other half had found him. From that point on it was as though they were inseparable. 

The hooligan antics of our group bloomed and flourished with the addition of Indy – I like thinking of us as a wild garden, because we shared this beautiful connection, but had to endure our thorns along the way. 

The boys were always a sense of security for me – and Indy willingly took up his guardian position immediately and without hesitation. I think among the four of them, Indy and Will enjoyed harassing guys that were interested in me the most. My high school boyfriend recently reminded me of junior prom, and how Indy gave him “the talk” beforehand – making sure Brian knew he’d be keeping an eye on him.

After high school (and some failed attempts at college), I spent just about every day at the VanZandt’s with my “triplets” – Indy, Will, and Schuyler. This group was a little more dysfunctional than our original Grandbriar gang.
I remember staying up all night with Indy waiting to get the call from Will to pick him up from LA where we had dropped him off earlier that night to sneak into EDC, lying to Cindy that he was with us. (Sorry Cindy). I remember winning money at the casino with Indy and Schuyler on the way to Havasu and using it for alcohol for the trip. 

Although the boys and I were always a little chaotic, we’ve always shared a ferocity of love for one another. 

And as we continued our separate lives, Indy made sure to reach out – continuing this ferocity of love – even visiting me in San Francisco with Killian shortly after he was born. 

Whatever the distance, he assured me he was still there for me, protecting me. Texts like, “Don’t matter the circumstances, ride or die for you homie” weren’t uncommon.

I loved our phone calls because it meant getting to hear his voice saying, “love you, Liv”. Like a hug through the phone. 
I didn’t call or text him on his birthday this year. Something I regret now. 

But even without body present, I’ll continue to feel your love through the warmth of the sun, and your smile in every sparkle of light. And if I find myself giggling at someone’s witty bullshit, I’m sure you’ll be quick to mind. 

I love you, Indy.

I’d like to tell the story of the past,
As I often get asked
How’d you flip your truck Dan? Why’d you hit the divider?
I reply, even though I’m Asian – I really hate math

BUT REALLY--
Underneath city lights, we roamed free,
Indy, Will, and I, a trio of smarts and also stupidity.
With laughter as our compass, we sailed the night,
But fate's sharp turn veered us into plight.

"Police!" Will's voice pierced the air,
My reflexes faltered, and I looked back in despair.
Next thing I knew we were upside down with glass everywhere.

When I saw Indy and Will as the night came to pass,
Indy with a cut on his arm, and Will with a large scratch on his ass
I expected anger, disgruntled or even dismay
Yet with Indy’s big smile he gave me a hug and said, “Young Dancy, I’m glad you’re okay”

This happened again with Will in his white jeep
Offroading for my first time and yet Will failed to see the tree
Our heads ringing we climbed out of the car
And I looked at Indy, and we laughed at each other as we knew this next part

We hugged each other as we walked away
As we knew that we had had each other at the end of the day
Indy recognized early on what was important in life
The people around us, to get us past trouble or strife.

Thank you for always reminding me, accepting me and loving me.
I love you Indy. Rest in Peace.

Dan Chang

It saddens me to write this... Indiana was a great friend, teammate, and athlete.

I first met Indy Freshman year of college at the lacrosse house. At the time didn't realize the strong friendship we would have. When I asked where he was from he said, (in typical Indy voice) "uh Aliso Viejo". I had no clue where that was, and he explained its basically Laguna Beach. Little did he know this phrase would go on to haunt him, as Mark, JD, Rory and I would constantly throw up a "Shaka" and say, " uhhh I'm from Aliso, like Laguna Beach Bro". He hated this, but we could always get a laugh out of him. 

A few weeks into school Indy and I started talking more about our hometowns. I was born in Orange County, but had moved away when I was 2 across the country. Upon learning we were very close in age, we came to the realization we were both born at Orange County Hospital.  This led us both to call our mom's to see which doctor delivered each of us. It turns out, Dr. Zepeda delivered both Indy and I just 3 months apart. To think Indy and I might have been in womb during prior doctor visits is mind blowing to this day. 

Indy, Mark, JD, Rory, Assimo, and I shared some of the best times of my life together traveling the county playing lacrosse. Indy was a great athlete, and I'm sure everyone can remember the time he broke that kids collar bone at Midfield against Dominican. Indy would be the 1st to tell you he was a football player who played lacrosse, (he would ALSO be the first to tell you he played footballe against Matt Barkley in High school... and that he knows Jiu Jitsu). 

One Summer break Indy stayed back at GCU and I went home to Arkansas. Upon returning a few months later I went straight to Mark and Jd's to hang out. There I find Indy on the recliner playing Mario Kart on Wii, with a Orlando Magic Jersey on, Laguna Niguel athletic shorts, and his big big toe hanging in the air. Classic Indy. (if you know the toe, you know the toe).

I decided to challenge him to a game. Prior to the Summer everyone in our friend group was on the same sill level on Mario Kart, but Indy must have played Mario Kart for three months straight, because to this day I don't think anyone was better than him. I was never able to beat him again. I think we all just stopped playing after that because it wasn't fun anymore. Indy with Yoshi on the bike was unbeatable. 

Indy was kind enough to introduce us to all his friends who then became our friends. (Will, thanks for reading this for me). So glad he was able to show us where he lived, and be able to see where all the stories took place.
Whether it was the 4th of July or a random weekend the Walsh and Van Zandt Family always welcomed all of us into their home. I think I can speak for Mark, JD and I when I say we will never forget walking into Rob and Leslie's home for the 1st time to find a entire stairwell of Indy pictures. 

We lost touch over the last few years which I deeply regret. I know his boys look so much like him, and I hope to meet them one day. So many great memories with him. He is loved by so many, and he will be missed more than he knows. I send my love and prayers to the Walsh Family. I hope his boys grow up to be athletes, and hit has hard has he did. I look forward to having a toss with him again, one day up in heaven. 

-Trey

Our deepest condolences to Indy’s family. While we didn’t know him well, we share our love and support to those he left behind.

Walshy & Rob
Indy was the kindest, most giving, resilient kid/ young man. That's a huge testament to how was he was raised. I'm so sorry for your loss.

LESLI LAMENTAMOS MUCHO TU PERDIDA,NO PODEMOS IMAGINAR EL DOLOR QUE SIENTES PERO AUNQUE NOS SEPAREN CIENTOS DE KILÓMETROS ESTAMOS CONTIGO🫂 ,ESPOSO Y NIETOS. TU HIJO SIEMPRE VIVIRÁ EN TU CORAZÓN, TE QUEREMO💕 Y A LA DISTANCIA ESTAMOS CONTIGO,TRATA DE SER FUERTE PARA QUIÉNES QUEDAN A TU LADO,MI MAS DOLIDO PÉSAME. UN FUERTE ABRAZO DE SOLIDARIDAD🫂
ATENTAMENTE: 
Familia Cortés Melendez.

Indiana,
When we heard of your passing, it brought us great sorrow.  We look back and remember the happy baby you were, the vibrant and inquisitive child, the teenager with personality, charm and athleticism.  Then all at once you were a young father with children of your own.  We choose to remember you with laughter and smiles for you have made your final journey home to your Heavenly Father.

Dearest Leslie and Rob,
Thirty four years ago God sent you a special blessing, the source of much happiness and joy.  While Indiana’s time on this planet was short lived,  he has left behind the best of him — two precious gifts entrusted to you, Killian and Kingston.  We ask God to console you in your grief and may His ever loving light bring you peace and comfort. 

With much love …… Martha and Maria Diaz

If life is as simple as a series of moments, then the totality of our lives sums up to who we had the pleasure of sharing them with. Indiana was a fun person to be around. He was energetic and funny—a brother to me. I have so many good memories of us from when we were young, most of which involve doing something fast enough to get hurt and then laughing it off. He was highly intelligent and had a smile that was contagious, with laughter that could fill a room.

But in this life, nothing is as easy as it seems. Nothing makes sense until it’s done. Family is forever, and I’m glad to share a glimpse of these moments with the wonderful people in this room. I hope he is at peace and smiling down on us from above.

I remember this sweet little boy. You will always hold a special place in my heart! Gone too soon. RIP Indy
💙

Indy,

My heart has been heavy since hearing of your passing. My deepest condolences go to the Walsh family, but more importantly your boys 🙏🏻 you were the most smartest man I’ve got the pleasure to know in such a short period of time that I will cherish for a lifetime. 

Thank you for allowing me to be apart of not just your life but the boys you have raised. They are VERY smart and respectful young boys as you were. Your heart was endless. May you rest peacefully 🤍 

- Sabrina 🤍

Rob & Leslie
The sky darken and our heart froze when we learned of Indy’s passing. 
Please accept our sincerest condolences. 
We are wishing that your family can find strength in all the happy memories you held together. 
Love  
The Melendez Family.  ❤️

My condolences to the Walsh family 🤍 

Indy was such an amazing soul and I’ll forever miss him. His laugh was as contagious as his spirit and smile , I’m so honored to be able to have known Indy , his children will forever be in my prayers for strength and guidance. It’ll be a long walk but our paths will meet again Indy 🤍 I love you friend and I’ll forever miss you , thank you for becoming such an unexpected piece of my life 

- Palacio 🕊️😞🤍

From day one Indy welcomed me into his life as a brother. He was truly loyal to the people in his life, always looking out for the people around him. He had a huge heart and was always quick with a joke. I have countless memories of just laughing together or giving each other a hard time. I will miss his incessant trash talk when we played video games in the apartment or on the basketball court. He was annoying good at everything he did, new challenges came easy to him. It was hard not to have a good time in his presence. I will cherish every memory we shared and think about them often. Indy was a brother to me. Love you Indy

Thinking back on our time together brings a sense of loss but I’m thankful for the memories we created. I'm filled with both sorrow and gratitude. Our college days were full of laughter, late-night conversations and adventures. Those years mean so much to me. I think about you all often. Your laugh echoed through crowded rooms and your vibe was contagious. We lived in the moment back then and we were reminded that life is short as well. Indy you embodied the essence of living fully. You showed me that respect isn’t just for serious occasions it’s woven into the very fabric of our experiences. May your laughter echo in eternity brother. Don't you guys get into too much trouble up there.

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves memories no one can steal”
Indy, your spirit and memory will live on through your beautiful boys.
With Love, Jenny, Jeremy, Presley & Riley 🤍

Movie theater in Banning. We watched a movie with Rob. Maybe 2019?

Rob and Leslie,
I can’t express how sorry I am for your loss. My heart is with you both 💙

OBITUARIO

Indiana Lee Walsh

29 abril, 1990 – 20 mayo, 2024

Weaver Mortuary and Crematory

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