Monette - Thomas Arthur McFarlin, 78, passed away on Sunday, December 29, 2024, at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House.
He was born August 14, 1946, to the late Thomas and Hattie Paralee McFarlin. He was a member of the Westside Greers Ferry Baptist Church. Thomas also served for over 40 years with the Monette volunteer fire department where he served as the fire chief for several years. Mr. McFarlin owned and operated the Phillips 66 gas station which later became Monette Feed and Hardware.
Thomas valued hard work and education. He was a proud graduate of the Monette High School Class of 1964 and then went on to be a successful business owner who took pride in his hometown. When his wife Shirley died, and left him with three young children to raise, he was determined that his kids would graduate from college and have successful careers. He carried on that value with his grandchildren as well. Thomas was an avid sports fan. He enjoyed watching the Razorbacks and the St. Louis Cardinals, but his favorite teams to cheer on were always the ones his grandchildren played on. He coached all three of his children's little league baseball and softball teams.
Thomas loved being outside. You could often find him working in his large garden. His most favorite place to be was at his home on Greers Ferry Lake, especially when all his family was there with him. He passed on his love for the lake, boating, watersports, fishing, and hunting to his kids and grandkids. Thomas has always had a soft spot for animals, and leaves behind his best friend, Little Dog. He was a loving Dad and Paw who will be missed greatly by his family, but they have peace knowing that he truly loved them and that he is now reunited in Heaven with Shirley, his late wife and mother of his children.
He is survived by his son Michael (Whitney) McFarlin; two daughters Melinda (Brice) Wells and Patricia (Phillip) Duffel of Monette: sister Karalee Gibson of Lake City; grandchildren: Jenna Dowell, Andrew McFarlin, Hallee Wells, Olivia Duffel, Haddie Wells, Carson Pennington, Lynlee Duffel, and Callie Jo Pennington; great-grandchildren: Claire Dowell and Collins Dowell.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday December 31, 2024, at Gregg Funeral Home Chapel at 1p.m. with services following at 2p.m. with Rev. Rusty Bird officiating. Burial will follow in Macey Cemetery.
Honored to serve as pallbearers are Andrew McFarlin, Fletcher Dowell, James Dean McFarlin, Keith Warren, Brice Wells, and Phillip Duffel.
www.greggfh.com