1928 – 2011

Prominent Pasadena/Glendale architect Tom Lindsey was born in Denver, Colo. on July 17, 1928, the first child of Jesse Lindsey and Geneva Pounds. When he was just a toddler the family moved to Pasadena, Calif. The family grew over the next few years with the addition of Larry and Joanne.

Tom went to school in Pasadena. He loved to say that the reason our World War II enemies gave up was because he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1945 upon graduation.

After discharge he attended Pasadena City College and then was admitted to the University of Southern California’s School of Architecture. He graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture in 1955. His first job was with Bill Cody in Palm Springs.

Soon Tom found his real love: the private practice of architecture. He partnered first with Jasper Hawkins, and the last 22 years with Michael Mosakowski. He designed a home for his parents in Pasadena in which his sister Joanne still lives. Eventually he was licensed to practice in 33 states.

He was the first architect on Rancho Bernardo, worked closely on the initial design of Sun City, designed the Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlors for Bill Farrell, did restaurants, music theaters, hotels, schools, private housing complexes and post offices. You can see his professional emphasis over the past 15 years if you visit the Barry Nidorf Juvenile Detention Facility in Sylmar, the Sheriff’s Station in Palmdale, and the three newest Superior Courthouses at Los Angeles International Airport, in the West Valley in Chatsworth, and the Antonovich Superior Courthouse in Lancaster.

He was active in the American Institute of Architects, the National Council of Architectural Review Boards, the Verdugo Hills Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and the Rotary clubs of Glendale and Crescenta Cañada. He just completed a two-year term on the executive board of First Church of Christ, Scientist, La Cañada Flintridge. He is both a major donor and a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International, and a James E. West Fellow of the Boys Scouts of America.

He leaves a large and wonderful family: his wife Rahla of 12 years (half of Tea TomAhla), his daughter Robin Lindsey Winskas, her husband John and their children Jennifer Sanders (Justin and daughter Emma), Eric Vergith, Malana Winskas and Johnny Winskas; his son Jay Lindsey and Jay’s sons Jesse and Jeremy; and his daughter Susan Lindsey and her son Michael. Rahla’s children and grandchildren are also his: Steven Hall, Virginia Hall, Mark Hall and his wife Stacey and their children David, Kevin and Rachel, and Katy Sheppard and her husband Rob and their sons Jonathan and Andrew In addition, he leaves his sister, Joanne Stevenne, Pasadena, and nephew Mark Stebenne; and his sister-in-law Kitty Lindsey Smith and niece and nephew Kelly Lindsey and Robert Lindsey. He was a long time resident of La Cañada Flintridge.

A Celebration of Life will be held at First Church of Christ, Scientist, 600 Foothill Blvd, La Cañada Flintridge, on Friday, 21 October, at 2 p.m.

Gifts can be made in his name to the Verdugo Hills Council, BSA, campership fund (1325 Grandview Ave, Glendale, CA 91201); Crescenta Cañada Rotary Club Foundation, P.O. Box 81, Montrose, CA 91201) or to First Church of Christ, Scientist, (600 Foothill Blvd, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011).