John "Jack" Thar

John “Jack” James Thar, 71, of Indianapolis, IN, passed away on January 8, 2020 surrounded by loved ones after a courageous battle with heart disease. He was born in Chicago, IL, to the late Bernard and Marion (Lindberg) Thar. Raised in Park Forest, IL, he attended St. Irenaeus Grade School and Marion Catholic High School. Jack graduated from Western Michigan University in 1970 before earning his J.D., magna cum laude, in 1975 from Indiana University-Indianapolis School of Law where he served as the Head of Moot Court and Clerk for Indiana Court of Appeals Judge Charles White. Jack is remembered as a talented prosecutor, trial attorney, public servant, leader and friend. His outstanding career began in private practice with Lewis, Bowman, St. Clair & Wagner Law Firm, predecessor to Lewis Wagner LLP, before serving the people of Indiana as a Member of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana, Criminal Investigation Division from 1978 through 1986. He then served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and Chief of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force between 1986 and 1993, when he was then appointed by Attorney General Janet Reno as Interim United States Attorney in April 1993. Later that year, Jack was appointed by Governor Evan Bayh to serve as the First Executive Director of the Indiana Gaming Commission, a position he dutifully held until 2002, and where he was instrumental in opening Indiana’s first riverboat casinos. Jack returned to private practice as a partner of Ice Miller, LLP from 2002 to 2013. He ended his career in private practice with Katzman and Katzman in Indianapolis, IN. Among his many accomplishments and accolades, Jack received the Sagamore of the Wabash Award from both Governors Frank O’Bannon and Evan Bayh, as well as the Kentucky Colonel Award from Governor Paul E. Patton. Even in his passing, Jack received the Gift of Life Donor Award for his organ donations. Jack is survived by his loving wife, Cynthia Dean, step-son, Noah Gold, and siblings, Janice (James) Loomis, Kevin (Deborah) Thar, and Beverly (James) Brandt. He was a fond and cherished uncle to James Loomis, Jr., Christine (Joseph) Jurgielewicz, Laura Brandt, Matthew (Alyssa) Brandt, Reginald (Emmaleigh) Badeaux, and Rachel (Bradley) Webster, as well as a great uncle to Sofia Quiroz-Brandt, Emma Jurgielewicz, Joseph Jurgielewicz and Mollie Badeaux. His family remembers him as an animal-loving, head strong, intelligent, dedicated, and gracious man. Visitation with the family will be held from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and a celebration of life will be held at 4:00 PM on Saturday, January 18^th, at Flanner Buchanan – Memorial Park, 9350 E. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46229.A gathering after the service, to share food, a toast, and memories of Jack, starts at 6:30 PM and will be held at the Knights of Columbus, 1305 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, IN 46202. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of John “Jack” Thar to the American Heart Association or the Humane Societies of Marion or Hamilton County.