Thomas Lester Spelman

Thomas Lester Spelman passed away at his residence of almost 4 years at Cobblestone Crossing Assisted Living on July 13th. 2025 after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. Tom was born in Vincennes, Indiana on August 19th, 1939, to Blanche Cook Spelman and Howard Taylor Spelman. Surviving Tom are his younger siblings, Kinga Lowe (Duke), George Spelman (Pam), and Howard T. Spelman, Jr. (Bonnie).

We remember his wife Frances Jean Spelman who predeceased him in 2006. His children, Catherine Spelman Rubey, and Lewis Edward Spelman (Les) would like to thank our former spouses, Andy Rubey and Kathy Compton Spelman for their participation and support over the years in helping with Tom's care.

Tom loved the practice of law with his partners George B. Tofaute and Philip G. Tofaute at the firm they built together over 50 years. Tom's family would like to thank those who were part of the Tofaute & Spelman family, partners, staff and clients and the legal community in Terre Haute and Vincennes. Thanks to Suzie Tackett and Nancy Kimmel for their service in the Vincennes office.

Tom loved his granddaughters, Kiley Jane Rubey, Ellie Jean Rubey, Alison Elizabeth Spelman, and Isabella Grace Spelman and he was a repeat supporter of many of their activities over the years.

Tom learned horse handicapping from one of his commanding officers during his time in the Army, 1960-1964, and enjoyed this hobby until just 3 weeks ago, always eager to challenge his mind. Tom was ROTC at Murray State in Kentucky following his graduation from Broadripple High School, in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1959. Tom spent time in Lawrenceville, Illinois, Piqua, Ohio, and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida where his grandparents lived. He prepared for his service to the Finance Corps playing tennis within the Jimmy Evert tennis program at the parks, before receiving his first orders and assignments. One of his favorite places to be was South Florida, where he also learned how to fish. Yet another hobby learned, practiced and passed down to his children and grandchildren.

Tom's time in the service took him to all parts of Asia and he was honorably discharged as a Captain in Homestead, Florida. Those 4 years of service impacted Tom for the rest of his life.

Upon relocating back in Indianapolis he worked as an insurance adjuster and met George Tofaute in Terre Haute and the rest, as they say, is history. Tom attended Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis at night while clerking and working during the day. On assignment, he visited the office of a Judge who was smart enough to hire Jean Jett as his secretary. And the rest, as they say, is history. He graduated from Law School in 1968, married Jean with the Judge presiding over their intimate wedding ceremony, moved to Terre Haute to start the firm with George, and his family with Jean. Special Thanks to the Tofaute Family.

Tom had a complicated relationship with golf, tennis, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. His antics while disgusted with his own performance in his hobbies, kept the list of folks who could tolerate same was short, but distinguished. The clock at the Bubble and the begonias at the Country Club of Terre Haute paid the ultimate price.

Special Thanks to the staffs at MCL Cafeterias, Cobblestone Crossing Health Campus, Terre Haute First National Bank, the Saratoga Restaurant, and the Country Club of Terre Haute for always taking good care of him over the years.

Longtime Spelman family friend, Bill Tobin said it best: "It's no secret to anyone who knew Tom that he could be gruff, cantankerous, and demanding. But he was also warm, generous, kind, and very loyal. He was a walking collection of paradoxes that made him infuriating and endlessly fascinating, spending his life, just for one example, advocating for the underdog while rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers. While he could be frustrating, he was worthy of high admiration. At his core was an unshakeable integrity."

A Memorial Service is planned in November and will be announced soon. Memorial donations are encouraged to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Please visit http://give.michaeljfox.org