Thomas Robert Krudy

Thomas Robert Krudy, better known as Tomi to his friends and family, tragically passed away Thursday, February 1st, 2018 at the age of 39.

Tomi was born in Indianapolis to his loving parents, Thomas A. Krudy and Mary Ellen (Lawrence) Krudy on July 20, 1978.  He would be the first of five (5) children.

After being told by eight doctors that she would be unable to bear children, Ellen and Tom were miraculously blessed with a healthy son. Tomi was the first Krudy born in the United States. Being the first son and grandson, he was named for his father and each grandfather.  His paternal grandmother called him "Tomi' (Hungarian for Tommy) which he so loved all his life that he insisted on everyone calling him that unto his untimely death.

Tomi was a very sensitive, bright yet rambunctious child often inciting a bit of chaos at home and at "Papa and Zizi's". When he was only two, he lifted his three month old sister from her infant carrier and carried her from the living room to the kitchen -to mom for comfort.  However, he did carry her that forty feet by holding her around her neck – gently around the neck.  Ellen remembers not shrieking at the sight knowing that he just wanted to help. She exhaled and profusely thanked him for not dropping her.  And was he the child that thought it a good idea to rain an entire extra large box of Cheerios over the balcony at home?  Or, was that another sibling’s doing?  Tom and Ellen will never forget the day the kids poured Baby Powder all over the hardwood floors in order to play ice hockey in their socks.  Ahhh- the "Joy of Children."

Tomi had a babysitter when Ellen and Tom both worked for the Government.  Caroline called Tomi "the Human Fly" because he would run through the house while making a loud roaring sound.  He would then suddenly stop – to play with a toy Mutant Ninja Turtle.  Shortly later, he would roar off again.

He'd also pretend to be Super Man, outfitted with a cape singing "Macho Macho Man, I Wanna Be a Macho Man..."  And Tom will always remember the days he would seek any and all parking lots downtown where the three young Krudy kids could ride their big wheels.  It seemed there was always a trio in need of an evening big wheel ride.  By the time the fourth sibling was ready to take on the big wheel, Tomi had graduated to a two wheeler….then the fifth sibling took over for the second and so forth.  When the weather was bad, they pedaled away in the house- till the floor was quite scratched. By the time there were five Krudy kids (in seven years!!!), Tom and the crew went to many, many city parks as Ellen returned to school for her BSN.

When Tomi turned four, he attended Parkview Coop Preschool.  Like so many near North and Northside kids, he received a loving and encouraging start to education from Joanne Boulden.  Tomi went on to St. Joan of Arc Kindergarten and then on to St. Richard's School.  He made many friends at St. Richard’s and counted each as a blessing. While at St. Richard's, Tomi learned to speak French proficiently and even won first place in the National French Contest for his grade level.  He was always an exceptional student.       

Tomi went to Brebeuf Jesuit High School along with most of his grade school pals. At Brebeuf he developed mastery of the guitar.  Mom especially enjoyed listening to him play the classical Malaguena.  He also enjoyed after school football and IHSAA football games on autumn nights.  He graduated in May of 1996.

 It was while he was attending Brebeuf that he met his high school sweetheart, Courtney Williams.  The two attended Purdue University where Tomi was a member of the Beta Zeta Chapter of the Sigma Nu Fraternity.  Tomi returned to Indianapolis to finish his studies and graduated in 2001 with a degree in Economics from Indiana University.

On December 14, 2002, Tomi married his high school sweetheart and the next fall began graduate school at Butler University.  In 2005 Tomi graduated from Butler with an MBA with a concentration in Finance, and with High Distinction.

Shortly after graduation, in March of 2009, the love of Tomi’s life was born…. his beloved daughter, Alyanna. Tomi doted on her endlessly.  He adored singing to her, dancing with her, and tirelessly playing with her.  She was the light of his life.

A few years later came the second love of Tomi’s life with the birth of his cherished daughter, Zara, in January 2013. She also had her daddy wrapped around her little finger from the moment Tomi laid eyes on her. She charmed him into regularly playing on the playground, taking her swimming, and to play dress up.  There was no other past time Tomi enjoyed more than spending time with his girls and being a kid at heart.  Even to the end of his life, he was motivated by the love he shared with his girls.

As his youngest sibling reflected on his older brother, he said Tomi had changed from a typical teenager and young adult to a serious, deep thinking man.  He believed you should follow your dreams, regardless of how small or simple they might seem.  He emphasized to let your dream improve the world. “If you are kind and good to others, they will (eventually) be kind and good to you.”  He was a “Peace Keeper.” he said, “Tom was my big brother, my leader, my mentor.”

Tomi’s youngest sister said he always tried to “look out” for her.  Tomi always wanted the best for her whether that was a boyfriend, an athletic award or performing music.  He encouraged her to pursue a career in medical research.  He often remarked that she just never receives the credit she deserves.

Another brother states, “Tomi was much more of a big brother with a more prominent role in my life than he likely ever realized.  Seeing his work ethic and drive in every environment he entered instilled the same qualities that I strive for every day of my life.  The love that beamed out of his heart for his girls is the same love I hope to provide my children.”

Both his sisters remember their brother as enjoying every summer day at the Riviera Club.  The older of the two sisters wrote that every summer, all summer, we swam, dominated the arcade, collected a small fortune of coins from the bottom of the pools, and became the most tanned children on the block. She recalls the siblings playing basketball in my grandparents' driveway and trapping lightening bugs in the back yard.  She shared, “That as I entered high school, my brother made sure I knew where to go and everyone knew I was his younger sister (and not to mess with me).”  “He enjoyed driving in his Saab, windows down, sunroof open, and music blasting.  Tomi was the only one that spoke decent Hungarian (Magyar) to my grandfather, which I know he truly appreciated and adored.”

Tomi was preceded in death by his grandparents; Dr. Thomas & Maria (Horvath) Krudy and Robert H. Sr & Henrietta Mary (Steining) Lawrence, his uncle Terrence “Terry” Lawrence, and his two beloved dogs, Bridgette and Molly.

Tomi is survived by his two beautiful daughters, Alyanna Maria and Zara Arlene, and their mother, Courtney; his parents, Thomas A. & Mary Ellen (Lawrence) Krudy; his sister, Eva M. (Krudy) Quackenbush (A.J.); his sister, Maria N. Krudy (Paul); his brother, Nicholas A. Krudy (SaraBeth); and his brother Adam Z. Krudy (Heather).  Tomi had five nieces and nephews: Lila Quackenbush, Chloe Quackenbush, Caleb Krudy, Henry Krudy, and Charlotte Krudy.

He was much loved and will be forever missed!

A Celebration of Life is being planned for the summer.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Indiana National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), on line at www.namiindiana.org.

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