Thomas Melind

Thomas Allen Melind, 82, of Zionsville died Tuesday, November 18, 2014, after complications from Parkinson's Disease. A loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, Tom is survived by his wife, Frances Melind, of 59 years, sons, William (Patti), Andrew, daughter, Carrie Coquillette (Ken), four wonderful grandchildren, John & Katie Melind, and Catherine & Kevin Coquillette, and a joyful great grandchild, Marilyn Melind. He was the son of the late Roy and May Melind of Evanston, IL. Tom attended Oakton Elementary School in Evanston, IL and was an active member of the Pershing Club of the Evanston McGaw YMCA. After graduating from Evanston High School in 1950, Tom attended Lawrence University and graduated from DePauw University in 1954. He also attended executive programs at Stanford University and Indiana University. Tom began his career with the Bell System in Waukegan, IL, where he met his wife Fran. He progressed through escalating management positions at Illinois Bell and Indiana Bell Telephone Company. Tom retired as a District Manager after 30 years of service in 1984. His second retirement came in 1991 after senior sales roles at Stromberg Carlson and Siemens, selling telephone central office solutions to AT&T/RBOCs. After family and career, Tom's passion was park revitalization. Tom developed parks starting in Munster, IN in 1967 where he fostered his talent for park ideas, fundraising (getting a $1 Million grant), and joint municipal/Lions Club cooperation. In Munster's park he fostered trees and summer tennis programs. After moving to Zionsville, IN, Tom joined the Zionsville Lions Club in 1980. Tom worked from 1991 and on to spearhead great improvements to the Zionsville Lions Park, including a $600,000, 4 year revitalization project completed in 1996. He was instrumental in redesign and development/funding of Michigan City Lions Park, Whitestown Lions Park, and Advance Park in Indiana. He even wrote a book, Park Doctor, How to Revitalize your Park. Tom has been recognized repeatedly for his contributions to his community. In 1995 he received the Zionsville Chamber of Commerce Town Crier Award. In 2001 he was named a Lions WP Woods Fellow, and in 2009 he was named a Lions Melvin Jones Fellow. Governor Frank O'Bannon named Tom as a Sagamore of the Wabash in 2003; the highest award bestowed by the Governor of Indiana for distinguished service to the state. Governor Mitch Daniels named Tom as Distinguished Hoosier in 2007. Community Foundation of Boone County gave Tom their Spirit of Philanthropy Award in 2013. Tom was an avid tennis player and golfer, being a member of the Zionsville Senior Men's Golf League and Indianapolis Racquet Club. He lived each day with courage and enthusiasm and always looked for the best in people. He laughed well and often. Tom's central belief was, "One person can make a difference." Service 2:00 PM, Saturday, November. 22, 2014 at Zionsville United Methodist Church, with visitation from 1pm until time of service.