The journey started Sept. 21, 1942, when Thomas J. La Follette was born in his grandparents’ home in Crawfordsville, to Marian Elizabeth Appel and Morris J. La Follette, who he would not see until he was three years old for his dad was with General Patton and the Battle of the Bulge until 1945.
At that time they moved to Kokomo, where he attended grade schools at Washington and Palmer, junior high at Central, then on to Kokomo High School. Tom swam for coach Mal Cofield at the YMCA and was one of the first swimming instructors for Kokomo High School, graduating in the Class of 1961.
He met Barbara Jean Eikenberry in their sophomore year and they went together for three years before being married in 1961. They had three children, Karina Diane (Terry), Thomas J. Jr. (Buddy), who was lost in 2020, and Christopher Lee (Tanya); seven grandchildren, Michelle Pauline, Shelby Diane Lopez (Duva), Michael Morris, Rebecca Anne Puetzer (Connor), Nicholas Alexander, Elizabeth Claire and Thomas Robert; and three great-grandchildren, (Lopez) Elijah Anthony, Giovanni J. and Jazelin Arely.
Tom worked at Mid States Steel and Wire where he galvanized wire in Crawfordsville; Mohrs Construction Company as a laborer in Kokomo; and Delco Electronics in Kokomo for 33 years working as a diecast operator, die and mold setter, radio tuner repairman, group leader over sub assembly tuners, and Cadillac relays for the wonder bar radio he was a supervisor in the sub assembly operation, radio final assembly, and supervisor and production control/material control and scheduled speakers for General Motors, then was liaison between engineering and purchasing on new engine and radio controls.
Tom and Barb loved old classic cars. They have a 1957 Chevy Bel Air convertible, which they love to cruise in and take to car shows and parades. It has won a lot of trophies.
After retiring in 1997, he was asked to return to work and help start up a new plant in Szomebethay, Hungary (radios and engine controls) made for Opel, Volkswagon and Fiat. They lived in Grosspetersdorf, Austria for a year, and was still in touch with the folks he worked with, wonderful friends.
In Tom and Barb’s life together they have visited 48 states, Mexico and Canada and also traveled to Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, Romania, Luxembourg, Holland, Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, Switzerland, the islands of St. Thomas, St. Marteen, Aruba, Bahama, Cayman Islands, Columbia, Panama and Costa Rica. They loved taking cruises, especially the one through the Panama Canal. They also got to swim with the stingrays and the dolphins.
After moving to Lake Bruce, they remodeled their cottage where the grandkids loved fishing and swimming. They also had a small farm where they raised chickens, ducks and geese.
Tom was on the advisory board of the Fulton County Horse & Pony Club in Rochester. He and Barb fixed breakfast for several years for the kids during 4-H week and fun days. They also sponsored two trophies every year.
Tom was a proud member of the Republican Party, working on the election board as judge and inspector. He also served on the Fulton County Planning Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals.
He was a lifetime member of the Eagles, Moose, Murat Shrine, Scottish Rite, VFW Men’s Auxiliary, American Legion, Masonic Lodge, Ibn Saud Grotto, Kokomo and Logansport Shrine Clubs, Izaak Walton League, NRA, and Eastern Star.
Tom, as captain, always helped out on the Elks Cancer Drive.
Tom and Barb along with Tom and Shirley Miller, family and friends started the Frank Martino and Frank Pickens Memorial Breakfast benefiting the We Care organization in 2005 in Kokomo.
He loved this great nation, “the United States of America.”
A funeral service celebrating Tom’s life will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, June 22 at Stout & Son Funeral Home, 200 E. Main St., Russiaville. Burial will be in Albright Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.
Messages of condolence may be made at www.shirleyandstout.com.
