Rev. Thomas Paino, Jr.

The Rev. Thomas Paino Jr. passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. Born July 15, 1924, in Indianapolis, IN to Rev. Thomas Sr. and Lyda Paino, the second of eight children. At 101 years old, his was a long life of faith, integrity, and compassion. He graduated from George Washington High School (Indianapolis, IN) in 1941, Central Bible Institute (Springfield, MO) in 1944, and married the love of his life, Lois Marie (Tout) Paino on May 23, 1944.

He was preceded in death by Lois, his wife of almost 79 years (2023), his oldest son, Rev. Thomas (Tommy) Paino III (1999), his parents, and seven siblings. Surviving family members include daughter-in-law Sandy (Tommy) Paino, daughter Susan (James) Rheude, sons Timothy (JoAnn) Paino, Dr. Tracy (Debra) Paino, and Dr. Troy (Kelly) Paino. He also has twelve grandchildren, and nineteen great grandchildren.

At the age of 19, Pastor Tom and Lois became pastors in East Chicago, IN. Through the years, they pastored churches in St. James, MN, Covington, IN, Evansville, IN, and Indianapolis, IN. He pastored and led his home church, now named Lakeview Church (Indianapolis, IN) from 1956 to 1994. While leading that congregation, the church experienced tremendous growth and change. He built a healthcare facility (Lakeview Manor), three senior housing projects on the west side of the city, and an assisted living facility (Summit Place West) to provide elder care in the community.

His passion was missionary endeavors. He spent much of his active ministry and retirement years helping plan, raising funds, and building churches, schools, and other enterprises around the world. Through his organization (ActioNow), he raised well over $50 million for priority missionary projects. With an emphasis on education, he believed the best way to impact the world was through training the next generation.

He was a committed and faithful husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Many simply called him Pastor and he was known as a pioneer, an innovator, a mentor, and a tremendous example of a life well-lived.

A memorial celebration service will be held at Crossroads Church at 7209 E County Road 100 S, Avon, IN on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 11 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Rev. & Mrs. Thomas Paino Jr. Endowment Fund at Evangel University. You can give in one of the following ways:

Follow this link: Rev. & Mrs. Thomas Paino Jr. Endowment

Website: www.evangel.edu

(Select “Give” and designate it for the Rev. & Mrs. Thomas Paino Jr. Endowment)

Call: (417) 865.2815 ext: 7290

Mail: Evangel University Advancement

1111 N. Glenstone Ave.

Springfield, MO 65802

(Write “Rev. & Mrs. Thomas Paino Jr. Endowment” in the memo)