Thomas (Tom) Alan Jena

Thomas (Tom) Alan Jena, 64, died in his home sometime before April 21, 2020, in Indianapolis. Tom died of natural causes and NOT the COVID-19 virus.

Tom was born on February 20, 1956 in South Bend, Indiana to John Henry and Phyllis Arlene (Meller) Jena. He married Patsy Ann Dunn on September 10, 1994 in Franklin, Indiana.

Tom enjoyed playing Little League baseball; a 10-year member of the Marshall Township 4-H Club concentrating on woodworking and photography projects, Marshall Township ‘King, ’ and a Junior Leader; and as a member of the South Bend DeMolay Chapter, he served as Master Councilor. Tom was in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts obtaining the Rank of Eagle Scout and member of the Order of the Arrow/Honor Society & Brotherhood member from Troop 163 that met at the Scottsdale Pool Clubhouse.

Tom is a 1974 graduate of Andrew Jackson High School in South Bend where he participated in football and track for 3 years each. A 1979 graduate of Ball State University where he received a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and a Bachelor of Science degrees while enjoying various intramural sports and serving as the President of Elliott Hall.

Tom was a Mason had held duel memberships with St. Joseph Lodge #45 F. & A. M. and Greenwood Lodge #514 F. & A. M. He was a member of the Colts Disciples Tailgate group where he loved to hang out and man the grill.

Tom enjoyed a varied working career beginning with A.M. Rust Landscape and Equipment Supply; Photo Corp of American; Buck Creek Nursery; First Choice Photo Radio Shack; IUPUI Bio-Research Facility – Oral Health Institute; Eastgate Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram and lastly as a security guard for Indiana Grand Racing and Casino.

During his free time Tom enjoyed being a Revolutionary War (American War for Independence) Reenactor since 1998 – Tom was a member of Culpeper Minute Battalion (militia) and portrayed Surgeon’s Mate Thomas Kerlin (wife’s relative) of the Berk’s County Pennsylvania Militia. From 1988 to 1994, Tom was a volunteer firefighter/first responder with the Morristown Volunteer Fire Department and from 1994 to 2001 a volunteer firefighter/EMT with the Warren Township Fire Department; and always had a camera in his hand ready to snap pictures of whatever was happening.

His sister Luanne (RJ) Hagee, nephews Charles Hagee and Nathaniel (Staci) Hagee of Mooresville; and nieces Elizabeth (Kyle) Wys of Clayton; and Catherine Hagee of Mooresville and great nieces Isabelle and Rosalie Wys along with several Aunts, Uncles, cousins, nephews, a niece and a great nephew and niece, also survive Tom.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his younger brother Douglas T, his wife Patsy, several Aunts, Uncles, cousins as well as his grandparents Theo & Clara (Christman) Jena and Orvin & Florence (Rummel) Meller.

Burial was private with immediate family, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A celebration of Tom’s life will be later for family and friends to share their memories of Tom with his family.

As Tom is an Eagle Scout, his sister is requesting that all memorial contributions be sent to the Hoosier Trails BSA Council, 5625 State Road 46, Bloomington, IN 47401 – listing Tom’s name in the memo area.