Michael G. Ludlow

Michael (Mike) Ludlow passed away on April 4th, 2026 at the age of 75 leaving behind a family that meant everything to him. He spent his final days in the loving care of his oldest daughter and her husband, having tickle-fights with his beloved grandchildren, enjoying his favorite songs, and surrounded by love and support from his friends and family.

He was a devoted single father to four children, and his greatest accomplishment in life was raising them with love, humor, resilience, and independence. He often cited he was most proud of raising his children to be principled, compassionate toward others, and fully themselves. He believed in letting them grow into who they were, while giving them the moral foundation to be compassionate toward others and the world, and providing them with critical thinking skills to stand on their own. Each of them became independent, strong, empathetic, and grounded. He took great comfort in knowing they are happy, in good health and spirits, thriving in their lives and enjoying things they love. He was proud of his kids and made sure they always knew they were loved and supported.

All who knew him knew of his love of music. He was a lifelong fan of the Grateful Dead and the Beatles. Their music was the soundtrack to much of his life from road trips with his children, blasting music on Sunday mornings as DJ "WLUD-Ludlow Radio," all the way to bringing his children along to Grateful Dead concerts each summer. He had a lifelong connection to music and found both comfort and joy in the music that inspired and deeply moved him throughout his life.

He loved sports and writing, and exercised his creative spirit combining both. He wrote three detective novels, a sci-fi novel, and a nonfiction work of Indiana's role in the history of basketball.

He had a big heart, a strong spirit, and connected with people that made friends feel like family. He was the kind of person who would help anyone who needed it, without hesitation and without expecting anything in return.

He will be remembered for his love of music, his sense of humor, his generosity, and most of all as a father and the way he showed up for his children every single day.

He is survived by his four children, Maggie, Gram, Angel, and Brent; four grandchildren, Ezra, Fin, Kaya, and Alex; and three great-grandchildren.

His legacy lives on through the music he shared with his friends and family, his writings, parenting practices, his morals and values, and the many people whose lives he touched. He will be deeply missed and always remembered with love.

A celebration of his life will be held for family and friends on July 7th at Shades State Park. Details forthcoming.

In lieu of flowers or memorial trees, please put on your favorite Grateful Dead or Beatles song, think of Mike, and "just be."