Thomas "Tommy" Hillard Free, III's Obituary
It was shortly before kick-off on Thursday, August 29, 2024, when Thomas “Tommy” Hillard Free, III, age 81, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, passed away at his home. Tommy was born on December 1, 1942, in Dumas, Arkansas, to Thomas H. Free, II and Cassie Bernice Puryear Free. Tommy graduated from Dumas High School in 1960, a true “Ding-Dong Daddy” from Dumas. Tommy attended and graduated from the University of Arkansas (where he met his wife, Rebecca Blewster) with a bachelor’s degree in business management and began his career in banking shortly thereafter. Tommy married Rebecca Blewster on August 24, 1963, at the Central Baptist Church in Magnolia, Arkansas and began his banking career in 1965 working for First National Bank in Crossett, where he was also a member of the Jaycees and the President of the local Razorback booster club. The family moved to Monticello in early 1970 where Tommy worked at First Commercial Bank, and then moved across town to First Union Bank. Tommy became a member of the Kiwanis Club in Monticello in 1970 and served as their president 1975-1976.
On October 2, 1976, the family moved to Siloam Springs, where Tommy went to work for Arkansas State Bank and joined the Siloam Springs Kiwanis Club. Tommy served his family, the community of Siloam Springs, and his banking customers many years in Siloam Springs, not just as your home-town banker but was involved in the local booster club, serving in various capacities in the local Kiwanis Club [(President 1997-1998), (Lieutenant Governor of the Moark District 2000-2001)] , officiating track and field at the University of Arkansas (41 years), serving on the Board of the local library, the Siloam Springs Chamber of Commerce Board, Chairman of the United Way Drive, Planning and Zoning Commission of Siloam Springs, and also as a trustee for one of the local churches. Tommy Free received the Siloam Springs Pioneer Citizen Award in 2015 for his numerous contributions of civic duty and shared service.
Tommy’s enthusiasm for service mirrored his enthusiasm for people and of course, the Razorbacks. Arkansas State Bank was sold to Centennial and Tommy continued to serve by opening and operating the branch in Tontitown. Tommy and Becky moved to Fayetteville in 2013, where Tommy continued to serve his banking family, and his community through his various civic endeavors. Tommy worked with the Arkansas Support Network (2016 – 2022) and served on the board of NTI (Northwest Technical Institute) from 2015 through 2020 in various capacities, including Chairman of the Board, while still working as a Senior Vice President of Customer Relations at Centennial Bank, from which he officially retired in September of 2022.
Tommy Free is survived by his wife, Rebecca Free; children, Thomas K. Free and fiancée Allyson Roy of Fayetteville, Matthew Free and wife Cindy of Ft. Worth, Texas, and Jamey R. Sims and husband Mike of Fayetteville; grandchildren, Mitchell Free and wife Marisa, Phillip Free and wife Destinee, and Claire Monroe Sims; great grandchildren, Celine, Karsyn and Kinzley; and brother, John Phillip Free of Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., Friday, September 6, 2024, at First Baptist Church in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Visitation will be prior to the service from 11:00 a.m., to 1:00 p.m., at First Baptist Church in Fayetteville. Please wear a touch of red for the visitation and/or services on Friday, September 6, 2024. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Kiwanis Club of Siloam Springs, P.O. Box 392, Siloam Springs, AR 72761 or First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1324, Fayetteville, AR 72702. To leave a tribute, please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are by Nelson-Berna Funeral Home in Fayetteville.
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