Obituaries

Thomas "Tom" Lockyear, 79, of Evansville, Indiana, passed away Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at St. Mary's Medical Center.
He was of the Methodist faith, and was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed vacationing with his motor home until he was unable to do so because of health issues.
Tom was born in Evansville, IN on March 29, 1933. He was the son of Theodore Levi and Jane (Odom) Lockyear and brother of Theodore (Ted) Odom Lockyear. He graduated from Central High School and began his studies at the age of 16 at Vanderbilt University. He graduated from Vanderbilt University Law School and passed the BAR exam in 1957. He was also a United States Army Veteran, who served in the Korean War. He was a certified mediator, former Public Defender, Justice of the Peace and County Attorney. He practiced law for 28 years before being appointed Vanderburgh Superior Court Judge in 1985 by Governor Orr replacing Randall T. Shepard. He served as a Superior Court Judge for 12 years being elected in 1988 and re-elected in 1994. Upon his retirement, he attained Senior Judge status, which he served in that capacity until his death. Tom's brother, Ted, was a local attorney, his Father, Ted, was a local attorney and his grandfather, Elmer Quincy Lockyear, was the first Probate Judge of Vanderburgh County and later served on the Indiana Court of Appeals.
Tom served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Indiana Judge Association;Board of Directors of the Judicial Conference of Indiana; Judicial Representative for the Evansville Bar Association; Judicial Representive of the Southwestern Indiana Mental Health; Vanderburgh County Job Study Committee; Evansville Bar Association, where he was awarded the James Bethel Grisham Freedom Award; Kennel Club and Evansville Quarterback Club.
Tom earned a reputation of being a courageous, firm and fair judge. Although he was good at giving orders, he was poor at following orders such as given by his doctors.

Survived by:

Wife of 29 years, Nina (Tison) Lockyear, daughter, Jane Miller (Rob) and grandson, Alex Miller and step-granddaughter, Lindsey Miller; and son, Steve Lockyear (Krista) and grandson, Kristian Lockyear; step-daughter, Lisa Ochsner and her children, Laura Cox and Bryan Ochsner; step-son, Jeff Horsketter and his children, Josh Horstketter and Alana Horstketter; four great grandchildren. He is also survived by nephews, Thomas (Tom) Lockyear and family and Theodore (Scott) Lockyear; nieces, Lisa Euler and family and Melanie Henderson and family.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Ted Lockyear

Friends may visit from 2-7 P.M. on Friday, July 20, 2012 at Browning Funeral Home, 738 Diamond Avenue, where a celebration of his life will be held at 7:00 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Evansville Rescue Mission, 300 Southeast Martin Luther King Junior Blvd Evansville, IN 47713 or the Evansville Boys and Girls Club, 700 Bellemeade Avenue, Evansville, IN 47713.