(Tom) Edwin Thompson Abbett

Edwin Thompson “Tom” Abbett Jr., 82, of Indianapolis, passed away on July 25, 2022 in Martinsville, IN. Tom was born in Indianapolis to Mahala Irmajean Abbett and Edwin Thompson Abbett Sr. on August 16, 1939. He was a beloved father, grandfather, husband, brother, uncle, friend and entrepreneur.

Tom enjoyed his life to the fullest. He was passionate about spending time with his family. His other big passions in life were traveling, racing, and birdwatching. Tom and his cherished wife, Ruthann "Cricket" made lots of memories traveling to some of their favorite vacation spots including: Laughlin, Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, and California. Everywhere they went, they had a knack for finding the best meal in town and making new friends but they always enjoyed coming home to their own sanctuary for home cooked meals and elaborate bird feeders.

Tom grew up on the northside of Indianapolis and attended Indianapolis Public Schools and graduated Broad Ripple High School in 1957. For college, he attended Purdue University where he joined the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He married Jackie James in 1961. Later that year, he graduated with a degree in Industrial Management.

He then began a career in the auto industry building car washes. Tom and Jackie had three children, Tom, Trisha, and Jim. In the early 70s, he became an entrepreneur, eventually owning the car dealership, Northside AMC Jeep and then New Oldsmobile on Pendleton Pike. He also worked from time to time for his father’s business, Olds Soap and Chemical. He married the love of his life, Ruthann “Cricket” Nusbaum on June 1, 1989. He worked for Buis Oil/Valvoline from 1990 to 2006. The business grew year after year with Tom as the top salesman; he was admired and loved by the staff and loyal customers. The highlight of each year was the Indianapolis 500 where he played host to a multitude of clients throughout the month of May.

He is preceded in death by his parents: Mahala Irmajean Abbett and Edwin Thompson Abbett Sr.; his nephew, Robert Batman; his brothers-in-law John Carroll (Linda) and James Batman (Ruth Ann); and son-in-law, George Hays (Tami).

Tom is survived by his wife, Ruthann “Cricket”; his former wife, Jackie; his children: Tom (Carol), Trisha (Chris), and Jim (Angela); his step-children: Rhonda Bailey-Reed (Ty), Teresa Stephens (Rusty), Tami Hays, and Rick Bailey; his sisters: Ruth Ann Batman and Linda Carroll; his grandchildren: Demarise, Rachel, Holli, Benjamin, Stephanie, Patrick (Mikayla), and Charles; and his step-grandchildren: Kelly, Sam, Bethany, and Sydney Rose.

Visitation will be from 12:30 - 2:00 pm on Thursday, August 4, 2022 at Crown Hill Chapel in Indianapolis. The funeral service will commence at 2:00 with a graveside service to follow.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.crownhill.org for the ABBETT family.