Tommy Thomas

The family of Tommy Terral Thomas, is saddened to announce his passing at the age of 86. A longtime resident of Little Rock, Arkansas, Tommy peacefully went to be with the Lord in the early morning of Tuesday March 11th in his home.

Born June 4, 1938 in Little Rock, Arkansas, to parents Garland and Edith Williams Thomas. He lived an extraordinary life and was accompanied by his loving wife Kathryn (Bucky) Thomas for the last 33 years. Their passion and zeal for life together was a gift to their friends and family, which brought him great joy all the days of his life.

Tommy was known for his trademark quick wit, blunt talk and wearing shorts whenever possible. He appreciated life, was a loving son, loyal friend and he cherished his family. A passionate runner, golfer and snow skier, Tommy enjoyed keeping fit and joining his buddies at Little Rock Athletic Club for coffee, conversation and exercise in “Tommy’s Corner.” A 1956 graduate from Little Rock Central High (which he often referred to as “the best of times”), Tommy then attended Hendrix College and went on to become a member of the Arkansas National Guard.

As co-owner of L.E. Offutt Company for 30 years, Tommy won numerous Top Salesman awards and trips. L.E. Offutt was a manufactures representative agency, representing 15 companies in Illinois, Ohio, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Arkansas. Tommy was honored for five straight years as the top national salesman for Chicago-based Davis Molding Company. In 1993, after years of the constant grind of business travel, he sold his share of the company and took two years off from the world of business. In 1995, Tommy began his next successful business venture with Floor Covering, Incorporated. Tommy was always grateful to his friends and his Central Arkansas Executive Association (CAEA) co-members who gave him most of their business.

As a member of the Westwood Lodge #353, Tommy achieved the rank of a 32nd Degree Scottish-Rite Mason and fellow member of the Shriners. He sat on the Board of St. James United Methodist Church for a short period and served as president and member of the Forum Sunday School Class.

Tommy will be lovingly remembered by many. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Susan East Thomas, who was the mother of their beloved children. He is survived by his wife, Kathryn (Bucky) Thomas; his children Greg Thomas (Tracy), Paige Cline (Laura Pritchett), Jamye Eades (Ted); his stepchildren; Morse “Cab” Craig (Kelly), Christie Gildehaus (Roger), Polk Craig (Ginger); his grandchildren; Peyton Cline, Thomas and Will Eades, Jennifer Salisbury (James), Brittney Taylor (Daniel), Josh Craig (Belicia), Katie Craig; and his five great-grandchildren, Kathryn Seal (Garrett), Bree Meyers, Sebastian Salisbury, Cami and Colbie Taylor.

A celebration of his life will be held on Monday, March 17th at 10am at St. James United Methodist Church in Little Rock Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be made to St James United Methodist Church (321 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, AR 72212) or Arkansas Hospice. 

The family wishes to extend a very special thanks to Arkansas Hospice for their dedicated care of not only Tommy, but the family as well.

Arrangements by Arkansas Cremation, 10515 W Markham St, Suite B1, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205. If you would like to leave a message of condolence to the family, you may do so using the Guestbook section.

www.arkansascremation.com