Published by Legacy Remembers on Apr. 20, 2024.
April 17th, 2024, Thomas L Taulman, 83, of
Indianapolis, IN, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his beloved wife, Rita, son Tommy, daughter Christina, and buddy Charlie.
Tom was born in Indianapolis on August 18th, 1940, to the late Paul and Norma Taulman. He grew up in Indianapolis with his 6 siblings Bill, Judy, Marie, Rex, Bud, and Paula. Shortly after turning 19 Tom enlisted in the United States Navy where he served his country for 4 years. Tom met his wife Rita in early 1964 and got married later that year. After returning from the Navy, Tom worked in construction and then got a job working for General Motors in 1965 where he worked on the production line and moved into the Retiree Benefits Department. He retired from General Motors on April 1st, 1991. Everyone he worked with thought it was an April Fools joke. While working at General Motors, Tom was heavily involved in the UAW Union. While still working at General Motors, in 1985, Tom approached his son Tommy about starting a new graphics business alongside his cousin. After retiring from GM in 1991, Tom continued to work at TKO helping with administrative tasks, accounting functions, overall advising of the company, and distributing the mail...including opening it regardless of whose name was actually on it. In the earlier years of TKO Tom was also known as the Commissioner of the "Break a Leg Collection Agency." He was known as the "O" of TKO because he was the Ole Man but as time went on he switched the "e" for a "d" and became the Old Man.
Tom was known to be stubborn, hard-headed, and impatient but also generous, protective, and full of wisdom. People always knew they could come to him when they needed him. He will be remembered for his teasing nicknames, wildly entertaining stories, and purple Crown Royal bag. Not only was Tom on his way to being a part investor of Amazon through one-click buying but he also enjoyed all kinds of racing especially the kind he could bet on. Back in the day, Tom was an avid golfer always consistently shooting in the 70's. He called himself a fair-weather golfer. He loved traditional country music including Conway Twitty, Merle Haggard, Charlie Pride, and anything Carrie Underwood but most recently Walker Haye's "Fancy Like Applebee's" song. In his LIMITED free time at TKO, he enjoyed watching Old Western shows and movies including John Wayne and Gun Smoke. But most importantly his favorite was what he called "The Big Western".....his nap. He was also an avid fast food lover, always knowing and trying the latest items each restaurant advertised on TV. Along with his loved ones Tom left behind 14 grabbers, 13 extra tv remotes (5 of which are from TVs that he no longer owned), 40 pairs of underwear, 18 pairs of cropped jeans, 23 white Jockey V-neck t-shirts with a pocket, and 45 pairs of like-new socks. He was nothing if not prepared.
Tom will be deeply missed by his beloved family, including his wife "Saint" Rita (Lindblom), his children Tom Taulman II (Sheila Nelson), and Christina Hurley (James Ladd); his Grandchildren, Travis Taulman (Sailor Westcott & Luna), Taylor Hurley-Parks (Zachary & Poppie), and Mariah Taulman (Sasha & Romeo) and his buddy Charlie, as well as countless friends, family members, and his TKO Family all of which whose lives he impacted. Though he may no longer be with us in person, his spirit will live on in the memories we hold dear and the lessons he imparted on everyone who had the honor of knowing him.
A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, May 14th, from 3-7 pm at the American Legion Post #145 (4812 E Main St, Avon, IN 46123). In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation in Tom's honor (
https://t2t.org/). In addition, Tom's final request for all of his friends and family members is to vote Red in November.