Hays Tompkins Sullivan

Hays Tompkins Sullivan passed away peacefully on November 9th at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro following a long illness. He was born in Vanndale, Arkansas, the son of Emily Tompkins and Hays Sullivan. Raised on his family's farm in Burdette, Mr. Sullivan graduated from Blytheville High School in 1956 and attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He then returned to Burdette to fulfill his dream of working on the family farm. Mr. Sullivan was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Blytheville and spent his career farming in Mississippi County. Throughout his life, he was involved in state and local politics, including a lengthy tenure on the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (1977-1984), where he promoted sportsmanship, conservation and improved access to sporting activities for the younger generation of Arkansans. He enjoyed his fellowship in both the Osceola and Blytheville Rotary Clubs and, in his latter years, was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow by the Blytheville Rotary Club. Hays Sullivan enjoyed vacations to the Gulf Coast, Washington D.C. and Colorado with his family. One of his favorite spots was Jack's Resort on the White River in the Ozarks, where he taught his children and grandchildren to fish. He spent many days in the duck woods of the Arkansas Delta telling tales, drinking coffee, and sharing his love of a good hunt. Whereever Hays went, he always surrounded by friends, old and new. He loved people and never met a stranger; others sensed his innate generosity and personal warmth and, in return, virtually everybody he met loved him. Mr. Sullivan was predeceased by his parents, brother Pat Sullivan and his son-in-law, Dr. Steven Owens. He is survived by his wife and love of his life, Linda, and their four daughters: Judith Anne Owens of Little Rock, Emily Susanne (Blant Hurt) of Jonesboro, Martha Elizabeth (Greg Harris) of Kennett, and Sarah Tompkins (David McNeil) of Dallas. Hays is also survived by twelve grandchildren; John Charles Williams (Emily), Paul Harris (Bethany), Payte Harris (Laura), Chelsea Thompson (Jon), Emily Matocha (Blake), Anne Elizabeth Riggs (Chris), Kate and Laura White, Thomas Owens, and Hays, Mary Virginia, and Emmeiline McNeil; eight great-grandchildren (and one on the way), and brother, Bill Sullivan. Services for Mr. Sullivan will be held on Tuesday, November 12th at the First United Methodist Church in Blytheville, Arkansas with Reverend Zach Roberts officiating. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. in the church parlor with a celebration of Mr. Sullivan's life to follow at 2 p.m. The burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the First United Methodist Church (blythevillefumc.org), and the Broyles Foundation (broylesfoundation.org) supporting Alzheimer's Caregivers. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.cobbfuneralhome.com.