Thomas Leonard Grace's Obituary
Thomas Leonard Grace, known to all his family and friends as “Tommy,” passed away in his residence at Hillcrest Towers in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on March 16, 2021, at the age of 70. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on January 26, 1951, to Maxey Lee and Irvin Grace. In 1960, he moved to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, where he and his sister Jonelle were raised by their grandparents, William and Gladys Tarkington.
After graduating from Eureka Springs High School in 1969, he joined the United States Navy, in which he served four years. After being honorably discharged in 1973, he attended classes at Arkansas Tech and the University of Arkansas. Many will remember Tommy from his early days at King Pizza or from his years with Penguin Eds; however, he will be most remembered for his work with young people. He worked as an employee at the Fayetteville Youth Center. He taught at Uptown School, an alternative school for young people at risk. He initiated the Homeless Program for the Fayetteville School District by spending a frigid night in a box outside the school as people arrived with cash and food donations. The vigil is still active at FHS by the Student Council. Tommy continued working with the Fayetteville School District as a substitute teacher until his retirement.
Others will remember Tommy for his love of sports. He was an umpire for Little League and Babe Ruth baseball for over twenty years and officiated basketball for Fayetteville Youth Center for ten years. He also served as timekeeper for Fayetteville School District football and basketball. He was an avid supporter of high school athletics, and Razorback sports, especially baseball. Anyone who knew Tommy knew his favorite pro teams were the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Chiefs. Tommy was also an avid tennis player and participated in tournaments, winning several trophies.
When Tommy moved to Hillcrest Towers three years ago, he added a new circle of friends. What everyone will remember about Tommy is that he had a huge heart. He will be missed by his family and hundreds of friends.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Maxey Lee Grace, father, Irvin Grace, and his grandparents, William T. and Gladys Tarkington.
He is survived by a daughter, Drew Sikes, son-in-law, Matt Sikes, and three grandchildren, Ethan, Koen and McLaren Sikes, all of Houston Texas; a sister, Jonelle Grace Lipscomb and brother-in-law, Bryant, of Fayetteville, Arkansas; two half-sisters, Sharon Jones and her husband Kenny of Cypress, California, and Kathleen Rowland of Snohomish, Washington; one step-sister, Karen Strickland, and three step-brothers, Don Conrad, Ron Conrad, and Darrell Conrad, their husbands and wives and eleven nieces and nephews.
Memorial service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 27, 2021 at Moore’s Chapel in Fayetteville. Click this link to view additional details about Tommy's Services, including any available live streams: https://my.gather.app/remember/thomas-grace
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