Thomas Lee Delph

Tom graduated from Indiana University and could possibly be the biggest IU fan in history. He even kept his IU football and basketball season tickets when he lived in Philadelphia, carried a picture of coach Bobby Knight in his wallet for years, and said it was okay to swear during IU games (because they’re just sporting event words).

To Tom, family was everything. He credits his mother for being the most influential person in his life - teaching him to work hard, be kind, be positive under all conditions, and be respectful of people…an example his mother set every day. He credits his father for his love of sports - attending all types of sporting events such as many IU games, Cincinnati Reds baseball games, the 1948 World Series, two Super Bowl games, and the Olympics in Montreal. He was a varsity scoring runner on the Anderson Indians State Champion cross country team (winning with a perfect score - the only team in IHSAA history to do so!) and a walk-on member of the Indiana University cross country team as a freshman.

Tom was drafted into the US Army in 1956 and spent time in Germany. He felt lucky to be assigned to Regimental Headquarters in the Public Information Office which later helped launch his six decade long career in journalism. He traveled around Germany writing articles about the regiment (including sports activities) and was even published in Stars and Stripes.

After his time in the service, Tom entered the journalism field with the National Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) where he spent 26 years in editorial, sales and marketing, and associate publishing roles. Tom then joined Chilton Publishing as a group publisher and moved to Philadelphia, PA. He oversaw four trade publications, bringing them to the top publications in their field. While extremely successful in business, Tom was still a pretty shy man. He ended up joining Toastmasters to help with his public speaking responsibilities and twice won national Toastmasters Champion.

Beyond retirement, Tom became the Program Director for the Young Retailer of the Year program at the North American Retail Hardware Association. The program honors rising stars in the home improvement retail sector and became one of the industry’s most respected platforms to celebrate and promote talent and innovation in the hardware retailing community. Additionally, he became executive secretary of the Worldwide DIY Council where he organized international trade shows, meetings, and speakers to foster global collaboration with DIY, manufacturing and hardware professionals. And, if that wasn’t enough, Tom served as senior account director for The Hardware Conference where he helped coordinate and host the Hardware Connection Beacon Awards.

In his free time, he loved coaching little league baseball and basketball and will always be known as “Coach” to many young men in Indianapolis. Tom was an avid dog lover, breeding and showing German Shepherd Dogs, and later enjoyed the company of Corgis and his other dog buddies. He generously donated time volunteering at Volunteers in Medicine and prepared free income tax returns through AARP Tax Aide.

Tom was an accomplished traveler for business and pleasure. He visited all 50 states as well as all of Central and South America, Ireland, England, Denmark, The Netherlands, Germany, Poland, France, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain and Italy. His favorite trip of all time was the family cruise taken by 20 members of the family to celebrate the turn of the Millennium.

Tom was honored with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in the 2002 Winter Olympic torch relay by running with the Olympic Flame while on its journey across Indiana to Salt Lake City. The Opening Ceremony committee received over 50,000 nominations for 3,500 positions. Nominees were considered as those who inspire others and reflect the spirit of the Olympic Games with values of friendship, excellence, and respect. A local community judging panel scored applicants and selected the torchbearers for his area. This particular torch relay was the 50th anniversary of the Winter Olympic torch relay.

Tom recently said “What gives me peace of mind is to know that my family members are all well in all aspects of life and most of all healthy.”

Tom leaves behind his daughters Deborah Cox, Stephanie Haroldson (Michael), Angela Remaklus (James), Sara Beth Gifford, Carol Williams (Stan), Kim Freeman (Pamela) and ‘son’ Dane Danner; Grandchildren: Justin Gifford (Caroline), Zachary Gifford (Joshua), Dane Delph, Travis Farrington (Krystal), Zane Williams, Peyton Priestman, Rick Ellsworth (Bobbi), Audra Grzelak, Elisabeth Murphy (Ben), William Haroldson; Great-grandchildren: Karleigh Ellsworth, Thomas Gifford, Jessie Gifford, Liam Cox, Kiliaen Farrington, and Rohan Farrington; Brothers: Steven Delph (Anne), Richard Delph (Cecile); Step-daughters: Debra Warner (Tom) and Dara Jo Cox and their their children and grandchildren.

Tom is preceded in death by his son William Delph; wives Patricia (Witham) Delph, Sandra (Ford) Delph, Marylu (Crays) Delph, Judith (Webber) Delph; brothers: Ronald Delph and Gary Delph; Sons-in-law: Page Gifford and Tom Cox.

A celebration of Tom's life will be held from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at Hathaway-Myers Chapel. Military honors will be provided by the Bartholomew County Honor Guard.

lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV.org) or the Turning Point Domestic Violence services Marylu Freeman Delph Library (turningpointdv.org).

Tom is a true example of how much life can be lived.

Please leave a fond memory of Tom at www.Hathaway-Myers.com.