Author. He was an American author who was best known for his Colonial American history and his Western and American Indian genre works. His works are noted for their in depth research in historical detail and accuracy. His colorful, historical fiction novels include, "Follow the River," "Panther in Sky," "Long Knife," " The Red Heart," and "Sign Talker." His best know volume, from 1981, is "Follow the River," the 18th. century tale of Mary Ingles, who was captured and later escaped from the Shawnee Indians. "Follow the River," and "Panther in the Sky," were adapted to television movies. "Panther in the Sky," won The Western Writers of America Spur Award in 1989 for best novel. Thom was born in Gosport, Indiana on May 28, 1933. His parents were medical doctors. As a youth, the family moved to Indianapolis, where Thom attended Aresenal Technical High School. The author was in the miltary with the U.S. Marine Corps, having served in the Korean War. After his service, Thom obtained his BA degree in 1961 in Journalism from Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. Thom also taught at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, and was a popular contributor to The Saturday Evening Post magazine and The Indianapolis Star. Along with his written works, Thom was a gifted sculptor, working in the medium of wood. His sculptures can be found in many permanent locations, including The Indiana State Museum, in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 2018, Thom was selected to receive The Lifetime Achievement Award for his volume of works from The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation, one of only three recipients of this coveted award. His most recent novel, "Fire in the Water," was published in 2016. At the time of his death, Thom was working on illustrations for a book for children and another American Indian themed volume. The writer is survived by his wife, author Dark Rain. She co-authored, along with her husband, "Warror Woman," and "The Shawnee, Kohkumthema's Grandchildren." Thom passed away at his rural log cabin home in Owen County, Indiana on January 31, 2023.
Author. He was an American author who was best known for his Colonial American history and his Western and American Indian genre works. His works are noted for their in depth research in historical detail and accuracy. His colorful, historical fiction novels include, "Follow the River," "Panther in Sky," "Long Knife," " The Red Heart," and "Sign Talker." His best know volume, from 1981, is "Follow the River," the 18th. century tale of Mary Ingles, who was captured and later escaped from the Shawnee Indians. "Follow the River," and "Panther in the Sky," were adapted to television movies. "Panther in the Sky," won The Western Writers of America Spur Award in 1989 for best novel. Thom was born in Gosport, Indiana on May 28, 1933. His parents were medical doctors. As a youth, the family moved to Indianapolis, where Thom attended Aresenal Technical High School. The author was in the miltary with the U.S. Marine Corps, having served in the Korean War. After his service, Thom obtained his BA degree in 1961 in Journalism from Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. Thom also taught at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, and was a popular contributor to The Saturday Evening Post magazine and The Indianapolis Star. Along with his written works, Thom was a gifted sculptor, working in the medium of wood. His sculptures can be found in many permanent locations, including The Indiana State Museum, in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 2018, Thom was selected to receive The Lifetime Achievement Award for his volume of works from The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation, one of only three recipients of this coveted award. His most recent novel, "Fire in the Water," was published in 2016. At the time of his death, Thom was working on illustrations for a book for children and another American Indian themed volume. The writer is survived by his wife, author Dark Rain. She co-authored, along with her husband, "Warror Woman," and "The Shawnee, Kohkumthema's Grandchildren." Thom passed away at his rural log cabin home in Owen County, Indiana on January 31, 2023.
Bio by: Desert Rose
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