Thomas A. Genung, local businessman, passed April 11, 2026 at the age of 91. He is survived by his son Stuart A. Genung of Milton, FL and daughter Kristin E. Ervin of Panama City Beach, FL, grandchildren; Francis, Hannah and Jack, and four great grandchildren; Ryn, Fae, Dax and Jet. He was the son of Fred Genung and Lurena Smith originally of Dayton, Ohio.

Mr. Genung was long time resident of Indianapolis area attending Speedway schools where he distinguished himself in schooling, athletics and was an outstanding student activities leader. He was selected to attend Hoosier Boys State and was recipient of Indianapolis Newspapers Merle Sidener Journalism Award. He was chosen Indianapolis Teenager Of The Year for the Hollywood Movie premier “ The Big Wheel”, a 1949 movie about automobile racing featuring the 500 Mile Race starring Mickey Rooney, Thomas Mitchell, Spring Byington and Hattie McDaniel. Mr. Genung attended General Motors Institute (now Kettering University) and graduated in 1958 where he was a member of the Alpha Gamma Upsilon fraternity. His graduate work and thesis topic was the pioneering of computer usage in business applications in the early years of computer development.

Following graduation, Mr. Genung began his career with the Allison division of General Motors. During his career with GM, he served in a variety of responsible positions and contributed to many innovative design engineering programs for the United States Military, ending his GM career as legal and patents engineering representative to Detroit Central Office Legal and Patents Staff. Mr. Genung formed TAG Engineering Co. in 1969 which he directed to the expansion of worldwide uses of plastics in product design. He was distinguished with the National Engineering Award in 1973 for his efforts. Notable activities included the creation of the first plastic parts designed in an automotive driveline application, the first water filter for refrigerator ice-maker molds, the U.S. Air Force Sidewinder missile safety control device, many new designs in the heating and air conditioning field, and innovations and advancements in the state of the art of automotive power transmission clutch designs. His work included international prominence.

Mr. Genung had several hobbies and interests: downhill skiing, old world architectural studies, music, formal dance, Running With the Bulls in Pamplona Spain and genealogy research. As a result, the Genungtown Settlement was dedicated as the precursor of Florham Park, NJ. He confirmed his family history to the year 1035 AD and directly to King Louis XIV of France. He discovered distant cousins in France confirmed by DNA testing. He remained close with his cousins over the years sharing many great adventures both in France and here in the States. He traveled Europe widely. He was a 25 year member of the Indianapolis barbershop chapter of SPEBSQSA (now Barbershop Harmony Society) and was responsible for bringing the 1975 International Convention to the City and served as Chairman. It was the first major and largest event booked prior to the completion of the Convention Center and was attended by more than 9500 singers from all parts of the world. He was celebrated in several England corporate boardrooms for assisting British Harmony Society. He was member of GSAE Society of New York, the Manhattan Club, the National and State Huguenot Societies, the NYBG, and many other research societies nationwide. He was an active member of the Ben Franklin JUNTO club in Indianapolis. He had served in the Indiana Bar Association “We The People” Program, VFW Patriot Pen Program, and others.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Thursday May 28 from 3pm-5pm at Daddy Jack’s Restaurant, 9419 N. Meridian St, Indianapolis. His burial is scheduled at Crown Hill Cemetery, Friday May 29 at 10am.