Thomas Henry Gargrave

Thomas Henry (Tom) Gargrave, 96, of Benton, Arkansas passed away peacefully on March 17th, 2025.

Tom was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 16, 1928 to John and Emily Gargrave.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Fern Gargrave of Arkansas, his daughter Nancy Powell (Randy) of Texas, his son Thomas L. Gargrave (Margaret) of Oswego, Illinois, son-in-law Rick McCoy of Arkansas, grandsons Seamus Riordan (Bree), Michael Gargrave (Jessica), granddaughters Stephanie Plourde (Steve), Lauren McCoy (Dustin Hicks), Tiffany Gargrave, Hannah Thorpe (Aaron), and Katie Gargrave, as well as many great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by sons John C. Gargrave, Michael P. Gargrave, and daughter Sally F. McCoy.

Tom attended St Paul's Lutheran School in Aurora, Illinois and graduated from Aurora East High School. After graduation, he lived in the Oswego, Illinois area where he worked alongside many local farmers from the late 1940s through the 1960’s. Clarence Shoger, Chuck Cryer, Alvin Hubbard, and Augie Siedelman were just a few. He won first place in the Big Rock plowing match in 1950, edging out his mentor and friend Clarence Shoger.

After the harvest season in 1950, he was drafted into the Army, proudly serving in Korea. His knack to operate and repair farm equipment quickly assured him assignment to the 369th Engineer Amphibious Support Regiment where he operated bulldozers building airfields, and moved troops and supplies with amphibious landing crafts. After completing his tour he continued to serve in reserve until 1956.

In 1952, while he was still overseas, school districts began to auction off many of the old one- room school houses throughout Kendall county. Leonard Siedelman, a farmer friend, walked across the field and bought one for Tom. He, along with many of his friends, converted the school to a home, and was married and raised his family there.

In 1953 Tom went to work for the US Postal Service, where he proudly served for 30 years. He walked postal routes in Montgomery, Aurora, and Boulder Hill, where he was blessed to have developed lifelong friendships in the community. He remembered back then having house keys to many homes on his route, checking the houses and leaving the mail on their kitchen tables while they were out of town. Tom claimed to have walked over 60,000 miles in his postal career.

He was one of the first few founding members of St Luke's Lutheran Church in Boulder Hill.

After post office retirement in 1983 and not being able to sit still, Tom went to work managing a small exotic animal farm for a local investment company owner/philanthropist. He quickly learned how to care for zebras, camels, emus, elk, bison, exotic deer, and many other animals. There he met many local and national politicians, actors, pastors, and worldly philanthropists. He claimed each one enriched his life in some small way.

In 1991, he and Fern moved to Greers Ferry, Arkansas to enjoy country living, lake life, and the state's natural beauty. They remained there until 2012, when they moved to Benton, Arkansas.

Tom always had a warm smile and loved to tell his life stories of days past. These included sweeping the old hardwood floors at the general store (now the Wurst Kitchen in Aurora), riding from Illinois to the west coast on his Harley, farming with a team of horses, and having legendary Frank Capone buy him a drink in Mercer, Wisconsin.

Tom was passionate for the out-of-doors. He loved fishing, hunting, and anything to do with nature. The north woods of Wisconsin was always special to him; he took as many vacations to the family's rustic cabin as he could. Friends and extended family were always welcome to the little cabin, where he taught many how to appreciate nature, fish, and enjoy the sunsets. These trips created lasting impressions on his family and so many others.

He loved his Savior Jesus Christ, his family, his country, and was a friend to anyone he met. He was easy going, joyful, kind, and made all he met immediately feel at ease. He especially loved his church family in Benton, relaxing with a brew, and chatting with his beloved Benton neighbors.

A service will be held on April 12th, 2025 at 11:00am, First Lutheran Church, 18181 I-30 Frontage Road, Benton, Arkansas.