August 10, 1932 – June 30, 2021
John David Proffitt passed away peacefully on June 30, 2021 at the age of 88. He was surrounded by his wife, Judy, of 48 years, his two daughters and son-in-law. He is survived by his wife Judy, his two daughters Michelle (Dave) and Melissa (Tom), and his five grandchildren, John, Michael, Madeline, Nicholas, and Samantha. His mother, father, sister, brother-in-law and stepdaughter, Deborah, all predeceased him.
John came from humble beginnings, raised by his mother and older sister in Lebanon, Ind. His father left his family when he was five, and his mother played the organ in their church to support them. They had very little, but she worked hard to raise two children with respect and dignity. His mother passed away when he was just 15.
A family friend from the local Baptist church took over his care and sent him to Kentucky Military Institute in Louisville. He played basketball and swam when he wasn’t studying. He was a good student. At his graduation, another Lebanon family friend had promised his mother they would help provide a college education for him. He received a partial scholarship to attend Wabash College and graduated in 1954. While at Wabash he was President of his fraternity Phi Gamma Delta. He was a generous alumnus throughout his life and was grateful for his education. He then joined the United States Army for two years.
As a child he was given a Perry Mason thriller by the local librarian and since that time he knew he wanted to be a lawyer. Upon his discharge from the army, he went to the University of Chicago Law School, on yet another academic scholarship, and received his law degree in 1959. He was an honorary member of Phi Alpha Delta, and Associate Editor of the University of Chicago Law Journal. When asked about his circumstances, he would say, “I love to tell the story of my life because it is really about other people.”
His first legal job was with Stinson, Morrison and Heckler in Kansas City, Mo., but his high school sweetheart (who he married and had two children with) was homesick for Indiana and so they moved home. When looking for a legal job he spoke with Alan Nolan, a partner at Ice Miller, the firm where his daughter Melissa has now practiced law for 36 years. The firm was not hiring so Alan suggested that he talk to Frank Campbell in Noblesville about a legal position; and the rest is history.
He practiced the rest of his 50-plus-year legal career at Campbell, Kyle and Proffitt, the firm he co-founded, and served as Managing Partner of the firm for over 35 years. John met his wife, Judy, in the Hamilton County courtroom. After their marriage, they lived in Carmel. He ended his career as counsel at Altman, Poindexter & Wyatt, LLC.
He was known for his kindness, acute legal acumen, and involvement in local Republican politics. As a lawyer he served as a mentor to countless young lawyers, always taking them to lunch and interested in their careers. He was a litigator who loved the courtroom. His word was his bond; he had the highest integrity and was trusted and respected by all.
He was acknowledged throughout his career for his accomplishments. He was a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, a Fellow of the Indiana Bar Foundation, and a member of the American Bar Association. He also was a leader in the legal profession. He served as President of: the Hamilton County Bar Association, the Indiana Continuing Legal Education Association, and the Indiana Bar Association. He was listed in “The Best Lawyers in America” and “Indianapolis Monthly Magazines Best Lawyers in Indiana” each year since their first publications. His CLE publications and speaking events are too numerous to list. In 2007, Governor Mitch Daniels recognized him as a Distinguished Hoosier, and in 2017 Governor Holcomb appointed him a Sagamore of the Wabash. That same year he was recognized by the Indiana Bar Foundation as a “Legendary Lawyer.”
He believed in public service as a result of his humble roots and spent his entire career giving back to his community. He served as a board member of a great number of organizations including Riverview Hospital, the Carmel-Clay Symphony Orchestra, the Hamilton County Program Committee, as past President of the Hamilton County Chamber of Commerce, past President of the Carmel Civic Square Building Corporation (built the present City Hall and Main Street Fire Station), past President of the Board of Trustees for the Carmel Public Library, and former Chairman of First Merchants National Bank of Hamilton County.
He was a faithful man, starting with his mother’s devotion to God. He was a member of St. Luke’s Methodist Church, also serving on their Administrative Board. He loved to travel, play golf, bike, hike and go to sporting events. He and his wife, Judy, traveled throughout Europe and most of the United States and Canada. He was the past President of Harbour Trees Golf Club and the Meadows Country Club in Sarasota, Fla., where he had a second home. He and Judy would attend the Big Ten football games with friends. He loved to read; mysteries and historical biographies were his favorite. He was a member of the Sherlock Holmes Society of London, England, and the Illustrious Clients of Sherlock Holmes. He also loved all kinds of music from classical to opera to rock and roll. He loved all kinds of movies from Casablanca, to any kind of western, to 2001: A Space Odyssey. He was a lifelong Cubs fan, a love he shared with his granddaughter Madeline. He was only able to watch the Cubs National Championship after he found out that they won. He loved driving his convertibles and sporting a series of cowboy hats.
With all of these life-long accomplishments, family was the most important part of John Proffitt’s life. He learned the value of family with his early losses as a child. As a result, instead of looking at the negative, he always looked at the positive. He was grateful every day of his life. He was proud of his daughters and loved his grandchildren dearly. He was kind, fair, hardworking, honest, loyal, funny, and driven by his faith and his values. He was known as “Mr. Wonderful” to his family. He said several years before his passing, “If I never live another day, I will be the luckiest man on earth. I have been so blessed.” John Proffitt was a legend to his family, friends and so many others. He was grateful for his life and his many blessings.
He viewed funerals as a sacrament, so there will be a private family service on July 8. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in his name to Wabash College (wabash.edu/give, (877) 743-4545, Wabash College/Annual Fund, 30 W. Wabash Ave., Crawfordsville, IN 47933-0352) or the Carmel Clay Public Library Foundation, Honorarium or Memorial Fund, 55 4th Ave. SE, Carmel, IN 46032.
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