Thomas Mason Tuttle

Thomas Mason Tuttle

Indianapolis - Thomas Mason Tuttle, age 81, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on January 15, 2021. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Elizabeth Jane Galloway Tuttle; sons, Thomas M. Tuttle, II (Holly) of Syracuse and Michael G. Tuttle (Erin) of Indianapolis; daughters, Terri K. Tuttle of Indianapolis and Jennifer Tuttle Blattler (Thomas) of Las Vegas; grandchildren, Ashley B. Williams (Andrew) of Salt Lake City, Lauren N. Tait of Fort Wayne, Grace E. Tuttle of Indianapolis, and Michael L. Tuttle of Indianapolis; and brother, Carl R. Tuttle, Jr. of Dallas, Texas. He was born in Indianapolis to the late Carl Richard and Velma Mason Tuttle. He graduated in 1957 from Florida Military Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps, and attended Indiana University after his discharge in 1961.

Mr. Tuttle was a lifelong summer resident of Lake Wawasee in Syracuse, Indiana, where his roots ran deep. His grandfather, Richard B. Tuttle, built one of the earliest lake cottages in 1901. He belonged to the Wawasee Ski Club and the American Water Ski Association. He became Midwest Regional Champion with a jump of 123 feet. He went on to ski professionally for Dick Pope, Jr. at Cypress Gardens in Florida and the Tommy Bartlett Ski Show in Wisconsin.

In the 1970s, Mr. Tuttle and his family became year-round residents of Lake Wawasee after assuming ownership of the family business, South Shore Golf Club, established in 1929. It was a ritual for Wawasee "lakers" to gather there for drinks and dinner, and he loved "drinking mash and talking trash" with his customers. Being "the life of the party" was a role he truly relished. He was a gifted storyteller and often embellished his anecdotes for the sake of the story. Tales of his childhood exploits were legendary, and he delighted in telling them. He was a charismatic person sought out for his unique sense of humor and uncanny ability to make people laugh.

Mr. Tuttle's career embraced banking, golf course and restaurant ownership, real estate, and various entrepreneurial ventures. In the 1960s, he owned three restaurants in Indianapolis where he developed his love of cooking: The Green Onion, The III Phases, and The Northeastwood Lounge. In the 1970s, he became an owner of the State Bank of Syracuse and Albion National Bank. Mr. Tuttle moved his family to Deerfield Beach, Florida in 1978, where he assumed the duties of General Manager of the Clubs of Deer Creek on behalf of American Fletcher National Bank. He returned to Syracuse with his family in 1982 to continue running South Shore Golf Club until he sold the business in 1998.

Mr. Tuttle became a community leader at a young age and remained civic-minded for the rest of his life. He hosted the Annual Kosciusko County American Cancer Society Tournament at South Shore Golf Club for many years. He received an award for Pioneering Leadership in the Fight Against Cancer and was also recognized as a "Hero for the Cause." His deep and abiding love for Lake Wawasee spurred him to create the Wawasee Property Owners Association Fireworks Fund and co-found the first Wawasee Big Bang Boom Fourth of July fireworks display. He also organized and hosted numerous fundraisers for members of the Republican Party.

His involvement included the board of directors of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Motorcycle Drill Team and the Indianapolis Jaycees. He was a board member of the American Business Club and only four-time winner of the club's Thunder Mug Poker Tournament. His other former memberships included the Columbia Club, Woodstock Club, Lambs Club, Indiana Society of Chicago, Scottish Rite Cathedral, Mizpah Shrine, Kosciusko County Shrine Club, Syracuse Masonic Lodge 454 F&AM, Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce, Indiana Sheriff's Association, and St. Luke's United Methodist Church.

Mr. Tuttle was an avid golfer, tennis player, snowmobiler, and pilot, who enjoyed cooking, playing cards, and watching NFL football and auto racing. He adored his wife, children, grandchildren, and a beloved toy poodle named Slash, who became his frequent companion upon his retirement. He exemplified living life to the fullest and will be remembered for his charm, wit, and irreverence. His love, loyalty, and devotion for family and friends will be sorely missed.

In light of COVID-19 restrictions, funeral services were held at Crown Hill Cemetery for immediate family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, P.O. Box 548, Syracuse, IN 46567, or the charity of your choice. Please visit www.leppertmortuary.com to see his life story or to share a personal memory of Tom.