Thomas Kindred, 82, of Ocala, founder and president of T.T. Distributors, passed away Tuesday August 15th due to complications of Alzheimer’s disease

Tom was born on April 11, 1935 to Edward and Nellie Kindred of Beason Illinois.  He was raised and worked on the family farm, and was particularly successful raising and showing sheep on the Illinois Fair Circuit.   Tom married Judith Anderson of Mt. Pulaski, Illinois on January 2, 1960.    Tom’s early career was in food service management and he held several positions with ARA of Philadelphia.

Tom and Judy moved to Ocala in 1985 and started T.T. Distributors Incorporated, selling race horse equipment and supplies, horseshoes, farrier supplies, supplements, and basically everything you need for your racehorse.   Tom worked hard to provide great value to the horse community in Ocala, searching far and wide for the right products, and negotiating the best deals with suppliers. 

Tom raced quarter horses in South Alabama, North Florida, Mississippi, and Texas in the 1970s.  He found the tack, horseshoes and equipment to be pricey and hard to find, so he started finding manufacturers, buying direct, both for his own use and to sell to the other horsemen.  Tom and his wife Judy Kindred, founded, built and grew the business, through hard work, determination, and providing good value and service to the racehorse industry in Ocala.  They initially started the business in their home, selling and delivering to the farms from an old bread delivery truck.  They eventually grew the business to it’s present store location on Hwy 40 offering over 2000 products.  T.T. Distributors is now the largest distributor of horseshoes in Florida.  Tom’s daughter Debra and son-in-law Dana, have worked in the business for over 20 years and took the helm in 2008.   Two of Tom’s grandchildren Shelby and Devin Barber also work at the company. 

Tom was also an avid sportsman, frequently traveling on hunts for duck, goose, pheasant, deer, moose and elk and fishing for salmon and trout.

Tom is survived by his wife Judy, daughter Debra Barber, and son Doug Kindred, all of Ocala, and his son Rodney Kindred of Pipe Creek, Texas, adopted daughter Debbie Poiroux of Kirksey, Kentucky and his sisters Dorthy Gosda, Doris Reinhart, and Joanne Lee.  Tom had nine grandchildren.  He lived a full life and will be greatly missed.

Please join us to celebrate Tom’s life.  Services will be held at Roberts Funeral Home in Dunnellon Florida, 19939 E Pennsylvania Ave, Dunnellon, FL 34432, on Thursday August 17th  at 6:30PM followed by a reception to continue to share memories.

Burial will be held at a later date in Mt. Pulaski, IL.

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