Thomas D. Hession

Thomas D. Hession 73, Shelbyville, IN, passed away January 16, 2011. He was born on July 20, 1937 in Indianapolis to the late Harry and Dee (Wall) Hession. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Tim Hession. He married Loita Chamness on August 22, 1959. Tom was a graduate of Plainfield H.S. (1955) and DePauw University (1959). He received a Masters at Indiana University (1966), and was a graduate of the Stonier School of Banking at the University of Delaware (1985). Tom taught and coached at Anderson Madison Heights and Columbus High School before coming to Shelbyville High School in 1968. While at Shelbyville High School (SHS), Tom taught government and economics. He was the head football coach at SHS (1968-78) and led the Golden Bears to the first ever South Central Conference Championship in 1975. That year he was voted SCC Coach of the Year. Tom also served as the Indiana Football Coaches Association President. Tom was the head baseball coach at SHS (1973-84). During his coaching tenure, the Golden Bears were a regional runner up in 1978-79 and conference champion in 1982-83. He was named Coach of Year in 1982-83. Tom was avidly involved in Shelby County and Indiana State politics. He served as the Shelby County Republican Club President, Precinct Committeeman and State Convention Delegate. From 1980-88, Tom served as a State Senator for the 42nd District. In 1984, he received the Sagamore of the Wabash from Governor Bob Orr. Tom was the "voice of the Golden Bears" broadcasting SHS basketball games for over 20 years on WSVL radio. He also announced Indianapolis Indians baseball games (1966) and provided color commentary for high school basketball and football championship coverage on television for 11 years. Tom was very active in the Shelbyville community serving on many major boards and committees including the Boy's Club, Chamber and Blue River Foundation. He was a lifetime member of the Shelbyville First United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday School for 25 years and served as a lay leader. Tom Hession was Shelbyville's Citizen of the Year (1996) and Shelby County's Lifetime Citizen and Community Growth Award recipient in 2005. He was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by Shelbyville HS in 2009 in recognition of commitment and dedication to the school and the baseball program. A baseball scholarship was established in his name. He was also inducted into the inaugural class of the Plainfield High School Alumni Hall of Fame (2010). Above all things, Tom was a loving husband, father and granddad. Survivors include his wife Loita A. Hession; daughters Jennie Hession of Bloomington, Ann Hession Alexander of Carmel, grandchildren Madeline and Bridget Alexander. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, January 19 at the First United Methodist Church in Shelbyville. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. at the church on Thursday. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Tom Hession Memorial Fund or the Tom Hession Baseball Scholarship Fund, through the Blue River Foundation. Services entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St., Shelbyville. Online condolences may be sent to: www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com