Tragic loss for two communities

Hamilton County Clerk

Last Wednesday night when Perry and I got the call that our dear friend Tony Etchison had died in a farming accident, we were in total shock, just as many were when they heard the news. It is so hard to lose someone so quickly like that in a tragic accident. In a split second, how many lives were changed …

It is that helpless feeling when you want to do something. Our family has been close to the Etchison and Stretch families for many years.

We went to be with the family that evening, if nothing else to just be there to hold on to them and help whatever was needed.

Tony is another one of our great community leaders to pass away, way too young. His loss has greatly affected two communities – Noblesville and Hamilton Heights.

Tony’s connection to Noblesville was his days as a Miller on the basketball court where so many watched him play for four years. He received many awards during those years, but that is only a fraction of his life. Noblesville is also home to his successful insurance business. I have heard so many people over the last few days mention how much he has helped them. He so cared about people and helping and doing what was best for them.

The Hamilton Heights community is where Tony lived, farmed and was raising his family.

If you didn’t know Tony, he was a special person, a very humble and caring man. A true gentleman. A man of true character and integrity. He had a very cool and calm demeaner but at the same time a very passionate man. Passionate about his family, his farming, his business, his coaching, his community and his friends. Tony was just simply a great guy.

I first got to know Tony when he played basketball for the Millers. He was so much fun to watch. He had a crazy hang time when going up for a basket that he looked like he was flying to the rim. He worked hard and made us all proud of his accomplishments.

After college, Tony came back to work in the Noblesville community. We both belonged to the Noblesville Noon Kiwanis Club and we would get to have weekly lunches together and catch up on sports and politics.

He would often send me an email about an issue at the statehouse. He was a great person to have as a sounding board when talking things through.

I talked to him several times about how I thought he should run for the statehouse, if the time was right for him. He had an interest and I am sure some day down the road he might have done it. Such a loss … his statesmanship would have made him a great elected leader.

Throughout the years I would see him and his wife Toby, the love of his life, at games or events. But it was about seven years ago when we would start seeing each other frequently somewhere at a basketball gym. Tony coached our grandson Sammy along with his son Tillman in basketball. Tony was so good to the kids. He was competitive and always wanted to win but teaching them the game was what was important to him. I will say I did see him be a little tense with a referee and a call from time to time, but never with the kids. He was always doing what was best for them. Tony set very high standards and expected as much from his players and those around him.

So many kids from Heights had the benefit of his skills and patience while trying to make them all a better person and ball player. Future players have lost a great role model and mentor, but I hope and pray there are others who will step up and carry on Tony’s legacy.

Perry and I started watching as many Heights games as we could so we could watch their middle son Gus. If you haven’t seen him play, he is such a fun basketball player to watch. He has that same ability to hang up in the air around the basket that Tony had.

Their oldest son J.P. and I, like Tony, share an interest in politics and government. J.P. came to the statehouse to page and visit. I helped him with a couple things his senior year and want to always be there to help him in anyway, as he moves forward and decides what part of government works best for him. He is a very kind and considerate person, like his father, who wants to serve his community, and I look forward to watching him and helping where I can. We need leaders with compassion and heart like J.P.

I can’t say it enough: Our two communities have loss a special person. I, like many, am heartbroken and still can’t believe he is gone.

My heart and prayers go out to his parents, Phil and Lavonne, his wife, Toby, and the boys, his siblings and their families, Eric, Tim and Roxanna, as well as his in-laws, Kathy and John Stretch.

The last thing I will leave you with is what Tony would always say to his sons and his players: “Love everyone, be kind, make a difference.” This is clearly how Tony led his life. I wish we could all live our lives with this as our focus.

Tony, my friend, I am going to miss you, but I know where you are and you will be watching over your family, and I want you to know Perry and I will be there also, to do anything we can for them and our two communities.

Fly high, Tony!