Thomas R. Zachary

Thomas R. Zachary, 78, of Bella Vista, Ark. passed away November 27, 2016 at Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville, Ark. He was born January 25, 1938 in El Reno, Okla. to A.T. and Ruth Whitlock Zachary. He grew up in El Reno, Okla. where he attended El Reno High School. Tom enjoyed playing baseball, basketball, football and track and became a life-long fan of sports in general. After graduating from High School he joined the U.S. Navy where he served for six years during the Vietnam War Era. After the Navy he married the love of his life Janis Brower on Jan. 22, 1962 and they started their new beginning together attending Oklahoma State University where he received a degree in Zoology and Wildlife Management with a minor in Electrical Engineering. He had several careers out of college but ended up serving his country again for 29+years with the US Civil Service (Department of Defense, U.S. Air Force). During this time he served as Deputy Base Civil Engineer, Chief of Ground Safety Programs, and Supervisory Environmental Engineer along with various other roles until his retirement in 2003 in Cheyenne, Wyo. He was a member of various public councils and committees including the Central Louisiana Clearinghouse Review Board, Central Louisiana Safety Council, East Texas Council of Governments, Denver County Safety Council, Denver County Planning Committee, San Antonio Council of Governments, Texas Regional Emergency Response Team, Southwest Experimental Fast Oxide Reactor (SEFOR) Nuclear Emergency Response Team, Washington County, AR Nuclear Safety Emergency Response Team, Cheyenne Federal Council and Certified Government Safety Officer with the World Safety Organization. The greatest loves in his life were Christ, his adoring wife, family and friends. He enjoyed daily devotionals and prayer with his wife and it was very rare to find him far from her side. As his children grew of age he took up his prior love of sports and became a coach. Coaching and mentoring his three kids and hundreds of others to be the best that they could be on and off the field. One of his greatest joys was seeing all of his kids go on and play college ball. His coaching career continued right up until the time of his death, helping his son coach his Grandsons ball teams. By many he is simply known as Coach Zack. He was involved in many church activities, from being a deacon, teaching youth ministries, men's bible study and leading the Royal Ambassadors. He was active in the outdoors, from hunting to fishing with his kids and grandkids. He loved taking drives in the mountains with his wife, stopping and viewing wildlife and having lunch or running up to Burgess Junction for an afternoon. A few of his greatest memories that he spoke of often was that of fly fishing in the Yellowstone River, elk hunting in Colorado and pheasant hunting in South Dakota. He never met a stranger and was always willing to lend a hand. His intellect, wisdom and witty sense of humor were admired by many and will greatly be missed by those that knew him best. Thomas is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Janis Zachary; two daughters, Leslie Zachary of Fayetteville, Ark., Meredith Tinney and husband, Keith Tinney of Krugerville, Texas, one son, Matt Zachary of Bentonville, Ark. Eight grandchildren, Morgan Walls and Husband Drew Walls of Huffman, Texas, William Waller of Austin, Texas, Dakota and Hayden Tinney of Krugerville, Texas, Daniel Curtis of Rogers, Ark., Aaron, Wyatt and Gracelyn Zachary of Bentonville, Ark. Graveside services will be held at a later date. In Tom's famous salutation of late "C YA and LUVYA" You will be missed. Arrangements have been entrusted to Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services in Rogers. Online condolence may be made to stockdalefuneral.com.