Thomas M. Branson, age 65, of Indianapolis, Indiana passed away on Sunday, December 5, 2021. I was born March 13,1956–the fourth of five children to William and Mary Agnes (O’Gara) Branson; the fourth of six grandchildren to William and Nell Branson; and the ninth of 42 grandchildren to Irish immigrants, Thomas and Margaret O’Gara (County Donegal, Ireland).
A lifelong resident of Indianapolis’ Eastside, I graduated from Little Flower Grade School in 1970 and Scecina Memorial High School in 1974. After a short time in college, I went to work for Conrail in 1976.
On September 15, 1979 I married Karen Ann Naughton, and we had three children: Shannon Nell, Thomas, and Nicholas.
In 1984 I started on the greatest job in the world, when I was hired by the Indianapolis Fire Department. That’s where I would spend the next 36 years–working the Eastside for 31 of those years at Station 27 at 2918 E. 10th St.
I was a union member since the age of 18–first with Conrail and finishing with Indianapolis Firefighters Local 416. Other memberships that I was proud to be involved with were Ancient Order of Hibernians, Firefighters Emerald Society, Firefighters Retirees Club, and Monday Morning Golf at Pleasant Run GC with my friends.
Oh, and you might have been served a beer or two from me when I worked part-time for the Golden Ace Inn!
I was preceded in death by my parents and grandparents. I am survived by my wife, Karen; children, Shannon Nell, Thomas (Rose), and Nicholas; siblings, William “Butch” Branson, Mary Margaret “Peggy” Beltrame (Mike), Ann Ruhmkorff (David), and Rita Parsons (Larry); and grandchildren, William “Liam” and Evelyn Róisín Branson.
Visitation will be held Sunday, December 12, 2021 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Feeney-Hornak Shadeland Mortuary, 1307 N Shadeland Ave, Indianapolis, Indiana 46219. A Funeral Mass will be Monday, December 13, 2021 at 10:00 AM at Little Flower Catholic Church, 4720 E 13th St, Indianapolis, Indiana 46201. A procession will go to Station 27 following my service. I will be laid to rest at Calvary Catholic Cemetery at a later date.
Floral tributes may be ordered through Andrews Florist and contributions in my memory may be made to: Scecina Memorial High School Attn: Athletics, 5000 Nowland Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46201 and/or Local 416 Bereavement Fund Indianapolis Professional Firefighters Union Local 416, 748 Massachusetts Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46204.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.feeneyhornakshadeland.com for my family.