Thomas Richard Blank, age 76, was born on March 7, 1944 and passed away on February 28, 2021 in Florence, AZ. He is survived by his wife, of 28 years, Christine Blank; four children: Michelle (Ted) Matson of Oro Valley, AZ; Thomas Okla (Debbie) Blank of LaPorte, IN; Jeff Griffiths of Alameda, CA; Ryan (Krystal) Blank of Michigan City, IN; and nine grandchildren: Madison Matson, Lucy Matson, Wyatt Matson, Nicholas Blank, Megan Blank, Ethan Blank, Dillon Blank, Emily Blank, Lennon Blank. He is also survived by two sisters, Marianne Meyer of Lady Lake, FL; and Julia (Ken) Potempa of Del Ray Beach, FL.
He was preceded in death by his parents Okla and Anne Blank and brother, Allan.
Tom was a lifelong native of Michigan City, IN, graduating in 1962 from MCHS. In 1971, earned a Bachelor of Science from Indiana University Business School of Accounting. For 20 years, he was an employee of NiSource at corporate headquarters in Hammond, IN.
Tom was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corp. after proudly serving three tours in the Vietnam War from 1964 through 1968 and receiving a Purple Heart.
Tom was active on the Board of Directors for Tonn & Blank Construction, Michigan City Chamber of Commerce, and Saint Anthony’s Hospice. He served as VFW quartermaster, and was a lifelong member of D.A.V., American Legion, Elks Lodge, Masonic Lodge and Potawatomi Country Club. He also served as commodore at the Michigan City Yacht Club.
Tom was a kind and patient soul who had a talent for cooking and entertaining. When he wasn’t fishing or hunting, he was an avid golfer, shooting a hole in one with two witnesses.
A celebration of Tom’s life will take place at Mountain View Cemetery in Mesa, AZ on Sunday, March 7, 2021. In lieu of flowers, please direct donations in Tom’s memory to the Wounded Warriors Organization, https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org
Semper Fi