Thomas Ridley Lemon

Thomas Ridley Lemon, Bloomington native, renowned trial attorney, civil mediator and son of late Bloomington mayor Thomas L. Lemon, passed away peacefully at the age of 83 on March 26, 2025 at the IU Health Hospice House in Bloomington. Born to Thomas L. and Bettie Lemon in Bloomington on November 10, 1941, Lemon, like so many generations of the family before him, was raised in this southern Indiana town, where he graduated from University High School. After receiving his undergraduate degree from Indiana University, he attended the Indiana University School of Law in Bloomington, graduating in 1966, cum laude with Order of the Coif honors. Lemon commenced his distinguished legal career as law clerk for Judge Hugh P. Dillon of the U.S District Court in Indianapolis that same year, after which, Lemon and his growing family moved to Warsaw, Indiana in 1967, spending the greater part of his 55-year long legal career in that northern Indiana community. Prior to retirement, Lemon continued to mediate civil lawsuits in association with the Mallor Grodner LLP law firm in Bloomington and would return permanently to Bloomington with his wife, Jo, for the remainder of his life.
Thomas Ridley Lemon is survived by his wife of almost 63 years, Jo (McFarren) Lemon, children Lisa Chudy (husband Jeff), Lara Lemon and Doug Lemon (wife Nikki), nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, together with many extended family members, including his brother, attorney Timothy Lemon He is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas L. Lemon, Bettie (Lemon) Silverstein and step-father Nate Silverstein.
Even while living, working and raising a family elsewhere, Lemon always regarded Bloomington as his home and maintained deep and abiding connections to the community throughout his entire life, enthusiastically supporting IU athletics and the Indiana University School of Law, and enjoying frequent contacts and visits with family, friends and colleagues in the town of his youth.
A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at the Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Warsaw, Indiana, on Sunday, April 27, 2025 at 2 p.m., with a time of fellowship to follow. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The IU Health Hospice House, 2810 Deborah Drive, Bloomington, Indiana 47403.