Kevin Richard Kilty

Kevin Richard Kilty, 79, of Indianapolis, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 7, 2021.  He was born in 1942 to Jack and Margaret (Sweetman) Kilty and grew up in the beautiful, small town of Stillwater, MN. He was a graduate of St. Thomas Military Academy in St. Paul, MN and St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN.  He earned a Master’s in Social Work from St. Louis University, after which he served our country for 3 years as a Captain in the United States Army.  He also received a Master’s in Sports Administration from Ohio University and then followed his dream of working in the world of professional sports, by working in the Front Office of the Indiana Pacers.

Kevin was passionate about the people and things he loved and told everyone he met that he was the luckiest man on earth.  The loves of his life were his children, whom he shared with former wife, Elise Kilty, and his grandchildren.  He believed deeply in the power of prayer and his faith sustained him through dark times and amplified his joy during happy times.  He lived his life with an openness and honesty that drew people to him and to care about him.  His friends and family knew that with Kevin, they could be themselves, faults and all, and he would love them without judgment.  He enjoyed attending mass during the week at his parish St. Jude and on Sundays at St. Roch.  At both parishes, Kevin found community and fellowship in addition to the profound gift of the Eucharist.

He spent most evenings dining at his favorite restaurants and enjoyed the friendships he formed there over the years, not to mention the occasional free dessert.  He loved Notre Dame football and the Minnesota Twins and although his teams could surely frustrate him and sometimes break his heart, watching and following sports brought him a great deal of pleasure throughout his life. He had a life-long admiration of firefighters, for whose bravery he was so thankful.

Survivors include his son Michael Kilty, daughter Susan Kilty Searby, son-in-law Michael Searby, his five beloved grandchildren (Hannah Kilty, Sophia, Edward, Jack, and Luke Searby), and his brother John W. (Margie) Kilty.  He also leaves behind his dear friends Susan Manning and Arnett Brown.

Family and friends will gather on Monday, July 19, 2021 from 5 to 7 p.m. in Lauck & Veldhof Funeral & Cremation Services, 1458 S. Meridian Street.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 20 at 10 a.m. in St. Jude Catholic Church, 5353 McFarland Rd., Indianapolis.  Cremation will follow services. 

Memorial contributions have been suggested to the Smile Train, the Humane Society, St. Jude Catholic Church or St. Roch Catholic Church. 

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.LauckFuneralHome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kevin Richard Kilty, please visit our floral store.