Thomas Alan McKinley

68, of Indianapolis, passed away on May 27, 2021. He was born to the late William and Eileen McKinley on May 4, 1953.

Tom, affectionately known as Tommy growing up, was born to Bill and Eileen McKinley in Syracuse, New York, on May 4, 1953. The fifth of six children, and the fourth of five boys, he looked up to his two wiser older brothers, Warren and Doc, was named and nurtured by his loving sister Sandra, and engaged in a whole bunch of shenanigans, no doubt, with his other two brothers, Jimmy and Billy. After a brief stint in Spring Lake, Michigan from 1953-1957, the McKinley clan moved to LaGrange, Indiana where Tom would live out some of his best childhood memories, fall in love with cloudy days, intense thunderstorms, basketball, baseball, and for some reason the Detroit Lions. His love for Indiana never ceased and in due course, he would long for the Indiana sky again until his return in 1990. At the age of 13, the family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, a very difficult time in the young life of Tom. In God’s providence, however, the move would prove to be a formative and extremely fruitful life changing experience for Tom who would eventually mature into the respectable young man of upstanding character that his mom and dad had prayed for. Tom went on to graduate from Sandia High School in 1971, and if not for multiple ACL tears, would have been drafted into the NBA out of high school, so we’re told. He would also later convince his 9-year-old son that he was a Yankee center fielder back in his prime! After graduating from the University of New Mexico in 1975, where he undoubtedly got mixed up in some more shenanigans with his Kappa Alpha frat brothers under his alias, Zeke Schwartz, Tom worked in accounting for Raby Carpets while studying for the CPA exam. Upon passing the exam, Tom joined the “Big Five” firm, Arthur Anderson. However, after four years of living the life of a traveling auditor, he teamed up with his big brother Jim to run the family business, Lobo Engines, where he had worked throughout high school and college. He would eventually play an instrumental role in selling the business on behalf of his family in 1988. It wasn’t until February 1978, at the onset of his joining Arthur Anderson, however, did Tom finally appreciate his seemingly traumatic move to New Mexico when it all culminated in the marriage to the love of his life, Cynthia Gail.

Tom and Cyndi wasted little time to start a family. Their favorite son, Dustin Jacob, blessed them with his presence in September of 1979 and was followed by their first daughter, Amanda Jeanette, just under two years later. A boy to play basketball with and a girl to play house with, Tom and Cyndi were set. The 1980’s were an exciting time for this little family: Friday night bowling leagues, soccer game Saturdays in the park behind Grandma McKinley’s, bike rides, trips to the cabin in Chama, New Mexico, family pets, Lobo basketball games, the Balloon Fiesta, dance recitals, family get-togethers, etc. All of the excitement, however, didn’t satisfy.…Tom and Cyndi needed more. In 1988, God gave them their third-born, Diondra Jillian, who would captivate Tom and Cyndi’s hearts for decades to come, completing their party of five.

In 1990, Tom could not resist Indiana’s calling and moved his family to Indianapolis, Indiana where he would pick back up his CPA license and dedicate himself to 30+ years to the tax profession. With the bold and risky move, Tom worked tirelessly to ensure that his family was loved and provided for. Despite long days and long weeks during tax seasons, Tom put his family first, always. The family of five spent a lot of time and most holidays with the only family they had in Indiana, his brother Jim and gang who had also moved back a few years before. Once “Grandpa’s Pool” had opened in the early 90’s before becoming “Grandpa’s Pool”, the “annual” Jim-Tom reunions around the pool and barbecue were a hit, especially after the kids grew up and started their own families. With three active kids, Tom’s little family stayed busy with extra-curriculars like sports, band, theatre, and choir, and took memorable vacations to New Mexico, Disneyworld, and New York.

Tom was a servant leading husband, first and foremost. He loved his beautiful bride fiercely and enthusiastically and was 100% devoted to her happiness. Tom enjoyed spoiling Cyndi with flowers and

chocolates and vacationing with her to bucket-list locations including Costa Rica, South Padre Island, Montreal, and Key West to name a few. He loved her genuinely, in simple ways like holding her hand or kissing her goodnight. His greatest gift to her, however, was their family. Tom shined as a dad, always investing time into his son and his two daughters. Their passions were his passions because he was passionately in love with his children. Whether it was basketball, tennis, cross country, track and field, marching band, theatre, or show choir, he always showed up and was their biggest fan. He even opted to decorate his man cave, not with cool movie posters, but action-shot posters of his favorite performers! A loving disciplinarian, Tom demonstrated for his children the importance of family, forgiveness, selflessness, hard work, and fun. And although rough around the edges at times, he was openly affectionate with his kids, always reminding them that he loved them all the way to Heaven and all the way back! And finally, Tom would be quick to affirm Proverbs 17:6, that grandchildren are the crown of the aged. Tom lived by the mantra, “Living The Dream”, and his seven grandchildren, Caleb, Levi, Katelyn, Hattie, Isaiah, Owen, and McKinley were at the core of his perspective. His heart soared for his grandchildren, the apples of his eye, and his title as Grandpa was an obvious joy and enormous blessing for him. He was their biggest fan, too.

Aside from his immediate and extended family, Tom loved many things: peanut butter, anything Cyndi would cook but especially beef and bean green chile burritos, Bud Light, the Lobos, Yankees, Lions, Colts, Pacers, and any game worth watching, pool Saturdays, his clients, his newspaper, serving on the Franklin Township Civic League, attending Life Point Church with his family at his side, Christmas mornings, and many more. He was loud and boisterous at times, yet soft spoken and solemn at other times; funny, easy to talk to, loyal, determined, quirky, stubborn, moody, weird at times, fun-loving, and the king of dad jokes. But most importantly, he was a man who knew that God made him, that God loved him, and that God had blessed him beyond what he deserved. The job he was given, he accomplished, and for everyone who knew him, the privilege is theirs.

Tom is survived by his loving wife; Cyndi McKinley, children; Dustin (Andrea) McKinley, Amanda Hubbell and Diondra (Evan) Checkeye, grandchildren; Caleb, Levi and Katelyn McKinley, Hattie and Isaiah Hubbell and Owen and McKinley Jo Checkeye, siblings; Warren (Jean) McKinley, Sandy (Rick) Parker, Rodney (Ellen) McKinley and Bill (Martha) McKinley, mother-in-law; Janet Dorcas along with sister-in-law; Cathy McKinley and brother-in-laws; Scott and Troy Dorcas. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Tom was preceded in death by his brother; James McKinley.

A Memorial Gathering will be held at Life Point Church (8540 Combs Rd., Indianapolis, In.) on Friday, June 11, 2021 from 2:00pm-3:00pm. A Celebration of Life Service will be held immediately following at 3:00pm at the church.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made in Tom's honor to:

Tufts Medical Center for Ophthalmology Research

800 Washington St.

Boston, MA. 02111

https://giving.tuftsmedicalcenter.org/give

www.littleandsonsindianapolis.com