A longtime educator and minister who touched the lives of many children and adults in south central Indiana recently passed away.
The Rev. Thomas "Tom" Judd, who died March 10, spent 44 years in education, including stints at schools in Jackson, Jennings and Orange counties.
Upon retirement from education, the 72-year-old North Vernon man became the minister at White’s Chapel United Methodist Church near Seymour, where he served until the time of his passing.
Kristye Lewis of Seymour said the first time she met Judd was at the Eggstra Special Easter Egg Hunt, which was founded by Judd and sponsored by his church in 2017.
"This was a very special Easter egg hunt as it was for children with disabilities," she said. "Our daughter attended this, and I remember it being such a great event that I wrote a thank-you card afterwards. It was so special for all of the children."
The next year, Lewis started taking Flash, her miniature therapy horse, to events for special needs individuals, and Judd asked them to attend.
"I remember at the end of that event in 2018, he was petting Flash and he became emotional," Lewis said. "I think while petting Flash, he looked around and saw everything he had done for the kids that day and also how much the kids loved Flash, too. It was a very touching day. A few months later, he invited us to bring Flash out to White’s Chapel for everyone at the church to enjoy. That was a special evening, too."
Judd, who graduated from Jennings County High School, earned a degree in math education from Florence State, now known as the University of North Alabama. He later earned a Master of Science and educational specialist degree from Indiana University.
Judd first taught math and was assistant principal at North Vernon Junior High School. After stints as principal of Crothersville Junior-Senior High School and Hayden Elementary School, he became assistant to the superintendent for Jennings County School Corp. He later served as superintendent for Orleans Community Schools and Medora Community School Corp.
Judd also was project director of high school initiatives for Ivy Tech Community College in Columbus and taught several graduate courses at Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus.
He had served as a board member of the Schneck Foundation, Mental Health America of Jackson County, Anchor House Family Assistance Center and Pantry and Hoosier Youth Challenge Academy and was a member of Sertoma, National Association of Elementary School Principals, National Association of Secondary School Principals, Gideons International and the Foster Grandparent Advisory Board.
Mindy Thompson of Seymour said she was fortunate enough to know Judd her entire life.
"He and Tina (Judd’s wife) lived next door to my parents when I was born," she said. "He pulled my first tooth on his front porch when I was 5 and gave me saltwater to rinse with afterward."
Thompson said Judd took her to the theater to see "Ernest Saves Christmas" when she was 11 and bought her ice cream afterward.
"He and Tina donned bow ties to serve dinner at my rehearsal dinner (held at my house), and all the guests thought they were hired caterers," Thompson said.
Judd also supplied her with fresh blackberries every summer for years and years, she said.
"He preached my mom’s memorial service without hesitation when she passed away two years ago," Thompson said. "Most importantly, he loved my family unconditionally the entire time he knew us and never failed to show up when we needed him."
In 1990, the Indiana Association of Elementary and Middle School Principals named him District 9 Principal of the Year. He was an inductee into the Little Hoosiers Hall of Fame in Hayden. He also was a foster grandparent at Emerson Elementary School.
Tribune reporters Zach Spicer and January Rutherford contributed to this story.
