Tom Hitt

Mr. Tom Hitt, 80, of Leachville, died Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Born in Leachville, he was the son of the late Grover and Mary Rose Hitt and was raised on the family farm by his mother and grandparents. The farm was hard work, but there were many days spent hunting and fishing. He loved to hunt duck, deer, squirrel, rabbit and quail with his Papa Hitt.

As a youth, Tom moved to Lake Shore, Mich., with his mother and graduated from Lake Shore High School in 1950. Following graduation he returned to Leachville and began farming with his uncles, Ralph, Robert and Jim Rose. Over the years the family farm grew into one of the most successful farming operations in northeast Arkansas. Tom was also very active in Farm Bureau of Arkansas and had served as President of the Mississippi County Farm Bureau Association. He was a member and past President of the Leachville Lions Booster Club and was always involved with his brother's and daughter's activities.

In his later years Tom enjoyed his yard work, walking with his friends in the neighborhood, and cooking and sharing recipes with friends. He was a member of the Leachville First United Methodist Church and the Sonshine Sunday School class.

In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his beloved brother, Dr. Jerry Hitt.

Survivors include his wife, Sharon Hitt of the home;

His daughters, Vicky Jerdee of Phoenix, Ariz., Gina Metheny and her husband, Rex, of Newport;

Four grandchildren, Molly Walters, Drew Jerdee, Kyle Harshey and Brittney Harshey;

Two great-grandchildren, Wyatt Walters and Madilynn Walters;

A step-son, Blythe Selby of Aptos, Calif.;

A step-daughter, Rhonda Williams of Mountain Grove, Mo.; and

His sister-in-law, Rita Rodman Hitt of Little Rock.

Funeral services will be held at 2 today at the Howard Funeral Service Chapel in Leachville with the Rev. Jerry Reed and the Rev. Doug Criss officiating. Burial will follow in the Leachville Cemetery. The family received visitors from 6-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Pallbearers are Jim Ed Robins, Randy Jackson, Leon Swihart, Ronnie Kennett and grandsons, Kyle Harshey and Drew Jerdee. Honorary pallbearers will be Wayne Masterson, Kenny Jackson, Paul Wildy, Joe Hultquist and members of the Sonshine Sunday School Class. The family prefers any memorials be made to the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro or the First United Methodist Church of Leachville. Guests may register at www.HowardFuneralService.com