Remembering Tom Massey
Author Dan Conder
Date Published Jul 5th, 2011
James Thomas Massey, 73, died Monday, June 20, 2011, at Franciscan/St. Francis in
Beech Grove. He was a resident of Martinsville.
Survivors include his wife, Kay (Settle) Massey of Martinsville; a son, Terry (Tonya)
Massey of Indianapolis; two daughters, Karen Massey of Indianapolis and Kathy (Kenny)
Haste of Martinsville; a brother, Jerry H. (Janice) Massey of Martinsville; and three grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ira U. and Edna C. (Johns) Massey.
The Rev. Cleon H. Wright conducted a celebration of life service at 11 a.m.
Thursday, June 23, 2011 at Neal & Summers Funeral and Cremation Center, 110 E. Poston
Road, Martinsville. The U.S. Army will present military honors at Nebo Memorial Park
Cemetery, Martinsville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 50 E. 91st St.,
Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46240; or the American Heart Association, 3816 Paysphere
Circle, Chicago, IL 60674
It is with sad news that we tell you of the passing of one of the Indy 500 Chapter of the
MTFCA’s members, James Thomas Massey. Tom became a member of the club in 1988
and held several offices over the years. He was president in 1992 and 2007 and vice president
in 2005 and 2006. He may have held office other years, but this is all we have record of. Needless to say, Tom was a big part of our club. He will be missed.
Here is some of Tom’s past history the Kem Johnson wrote for our featured
member of the month several years ago.
This month my article is about our incoming President, Tom Massey and, his
wife, Kay. Tom and Kay have been members of the Indy 500 Chapter of the Model T Club
for longer than Tom can remember. As a matter of fact, Tom has already held every
office in the Club and is going around a second time. Kay has also held offices in the
Club and she has been the Club’s only woman President.
Tom was born and raised in Mooresville and Kay is a native of Martinsville. Tom and
Kay have been married since 1959 – their 50 year anniversary is in the not to distant
future. They have 3 children, two daughters and a son and 3 grandchildren. All of their
children still live in Indiana. One daughter and two grandchildren still live in
Martinsville. And their son, daughter and other grandchild live in Indianapolis.
Tom retired from Bridgeport Brass in Indianapolis after 41 years. Bridgeport Brass
manufactured sheet metal out of brass and copper to be used to produce products. After
raising the kids, Kay went back to work as a secretary for the Farm Bureau Co-Op in
Martinsville and has since retired.
Tom and Kay live on a 260 acre farm in Martinsville that they bought in 1963. Tom
hadn’t been a farmer before, but he and Kay wanted to live in the country, so he thought
he would give farming a try. He did farm his land for a number of years, but now the land
is leased to another farmer. However, they still have their hand in farming a little bit
because they have a herd of 25 Hereford cattle.
Tom has had old cars of one kind or another since 1953. Tom and Kay currently
have 6 vintage cars. A 1926 pick-up that was converted from a roadster, a ’26 truck, a ’26
coupe (I think they like the year 1926!), a ’15 roadster pickup and a ’29 Model A roadster.
Tom is in the process of building a speedster. I asked Tom the year of the speedster, and,
you guessed it, it’ll mostly be a 1926 (now finished).
Tom and Kay really enjoy touring and participate in numerous tours throughout
the year. They have toured in many states, but probably enjoy Colorado the most. They have
toured in the Denver area twice and in Estes Park once.
Speaking of touring, Tom and Kay always have our first tour of the season and we
always have a wonderful time. Tom always planned an interesting tour that included
many steep hills and challenged the T’s and drivers to plan ahead. He always warned to
come ready to drive with a full tank.
Editors note: Tom and Kay invited Pam and I on our first regional tour in North
Carolina. He said it would be a great tour to start with. And it was some of the most
beautiful country. The only problem was it rained for several days straight. Tom gave me
the nick-name, “Duck-tape Dan” because I had a few leaks in my T. He was always right
there when you had a breakdown in the T helping and loaning parts. I have learned
much from Tom.
Here is an article by Tom on his Speedster:
15 Minutes of Fame
by Tom Massey
Now for some good news I received on Community Day at the 500 Track. When I got
back to where my car was parked, a man was waiting for me on a golf cart in the hot sun.
He said he was glad I finally came back! He introduced himself as the photographer for
PANTHER RACING, and he had seen the number 55 on my speedster in Day-Glow Red.
PANTHER RACING’S car is in Day-Glo red and blue and is number 55. He gave me the phone
number to call the Public Relations Director regarding me bringing my car to their Party
on Saturday afternoon. My “15 minutes of fame” turned into about 5 hours. People
were looking at my car more than the #55 Racer on display. All the drivers got in the
speedster to try it out. John Andretti said he didn’t think he could drive it. VitroMeira said
it was sure complicated to drive. And Kosuke Matsuura could not believe it had a hand
throttle. It was a great day for Kay and I.
Author Dan Conder
Date Published Jul 5th, 2011
James Thomas Massey, 73, died Monday, June 20, 2011, at Franciscan/St. Francis in
Beech Grove. He was a resident of Martinsville.
Survivors include his wife, Kay (Settle) Massey of Martinsville; a son, Terry (Tonya)
Massey of Indianapolis; two daughters, Karen Massey of Indianapolis and Kathy (Kenny)
Haste of Martinsville; a brother, Jerry H. (Janice) Massey of Martinsville; and three grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ira U. and Edna C. (Johns) Massey.
The Rev. Cleon H. Wright conducted a celebration of life service at 11 a.m.
Thursday, June 23, 2011 at Neal & Summers Funeral and Cremation Center, 110 E. Poston
Road, Martinsville. The U.S. Army will present military honors at Nebo Memorial Park
Cemetery, Martinsville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 50 E. 91st St.,
Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46240; or the American Heart Association, 3816 Paysphere
Circle, Chicago, IL 60674
It is with sad news that we tell you of the passing of one of the Indy 500 Chapter of the
MTFCA’s members, James Thomas Massey. Tom became a member of the club in 1988
and held several offices over the years. He was president in 1992 and 2007 and vice president
in 2005 and 2006. He may have held office other years, but this is all we have record of. Needless to say, Tom was a big part of our club. He will be missed.
Here is some of Tom’s past history the Kem Johnson wrote for our featured
member of the month several years ago.
This month my article is about our incoming President, Tom Massey and, his
wife, Kay. Tom and Kay have been members of the Indy 500 Chapter of the Model T Club
for longer than Tom can remember. As a matter of fact, Tom has already held every
office in the Club and is going around a second time. Kay has also held offices in the
Club and she has been the Club’s only woman President.
Tom was born and raised in Mooresville and Kay is a native of Martinsville. Tom and
Kay have been married since 1959 – their 50 year anniversary is in the not to distant
future. They have 3 children, two daughters and a son and 3 grandchildren. All of their
children still live in Indiana. One daughter and two grandchildren still live in
Martinsville. And their son, daughter and other grandchild live in Indianapolis.
Tom retired from Bridgeport Brass in Indianapolis after 41 years. Bridgeport Brass
manufactured sheet metal out of brass and copper to be used to produce products. After
raising the kids, Kay went back to work as a secretary for the Farm Bureau Co-Op in
Martinsville and has since retired.
Tom and Kay live on a 260 acre farm in Martinsville that they bought in 1963. Tom
hadn’t been a farmer before, but he and Kay wanted to live in the country, so he thought
he would give farming a try. He did farm his land for a number of years, but now the land
is leased to another farmer. However, they still have their hand in farming a little bit
because they have a herd of 25 Hereford cattle.
Tom has had old cars of one kind or another since 1953. Tom and Kay currently
have 6 vintage cars. A 1926 pick-up that was converted from a roadster, a ’26 truck, a ’26
coupe (I think they like the year 1926!), a ’15 roadster pickup and a ’29 Model A roadster.
Tom is in the process of building a speedster. I asked Tom the year of the speedster, and,
you guessed it, it’ll mostly be a 1926 (now finished).
Tom and Kay really enjoy touring and participate in numerous tours throughout
the year. They have toured in many states, but probably enjoy Colorado the most. They have
toured in the Denver area twice and in Estes Park once.
Speaking of touring, Tom and Kay always have our first tour of the season and we
always have a wonderful time. Tom always planned an interesting tour that included
many steep hills and challenged the T’s and drivers to plan ahead. He always warned to
come ready to drive with a full tank.
Editors note: Tom and Kay invited Pam and I on our first regional tour in North
Carolina. He said it would be a great tour to start with. And it was some of the most
beautiful country. The only problem was it rained for several days straight. Tom gave me
the nick-name, “Duck-tape Dan” because I had a few leaks in my T. He was always right
there when you had a breakdown in the T helping and loaning parts. I have learned
much from Tom.
Here is an article by Tom on his Speedster:
15 Minutes of Fame
by Tom Massey
Now for some good news I received on Community Day at the 500 Track. When I got
back to where my car was parked, a man was waiting for me on a golf cart in the hot sun.
He said he was glad I finally came back! He introduced himself as the photographer for
PANTHER RACING, and he had seen the number 55 on my speedster in Day-Glow Red.
PANTHER RACING’S car is in Day-Glo red and blue and is number 55. He gave me the phone
number to call the Public Relations Director regarding me bringing my car to their Party
on Saturday afternoon. My “15 minutes of fame” turned into about 5 hours. People
were looking at my car more than the #55 Racer on display. All the drivers got in the
speedster to try it out. John Andretti said he didn’t think he could drive it. VitroMeira said
it was sure complicated to drive. And Kosuke Matsuura could not believe it had a hand
throttle. It was a great day for Kay and I.