Thomas Emerson

Thomas W. Emerson, 65, passed away on Saturday, March 13, 2021 after a long battle with cancer. He was born March 28, 1955 in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was a courageous person with a heart of gold and a joy to all who had the good fortune of knowing him. After almost 25 years at Applied Industrial Technologies, he was loved by many co-workers and clients who he considered great friends.

Tom was a loving and devoted husband and father, and he especially cherished his role as (a VERY proud) Grandpa to his 4-year-old twin grandsons. The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Tom. He was an avid music lover and known for his quick wit and free spirit.

Tom was a rare combination of someone who had a fondness for life and a firm understanding of what was important — the simplicity of living a life with those you love. He enjoyed football, classic cars (especially his corvettes), the outdoors, camping, cooking, years of riding motorcycles with his two brothers and woodworking.

Tom will be dearly missed by his mother, Clisty Brown; wife, Terri Emerson; former wife, Diane Emerson; their daughter, Kaitlin Schmidt (Clayton); 2 grandchildren, Kason & Wyatt Schmidt; Stepson, Michael (Ellen) Jones; Stepdaughter, Brandi Warren; 5 step-grandchildren; Brothers, James (Jeannie) Emerson and Mike (Pattie) Emerson; Sister, Janice (Billy) Holden. He is also survived by 5 nieces and nephews, 14 great-nieces and nephews, an adoring extended stepfamily and many other relatives and close friends who will continue to honor his legacy by living their lives to the fullest.

He was preceded in death by his stepfathers, Charlie Spann and Bill Brown and grandmother, Cora Perkins.

Tom’s life was the perfect example of a life well-lived. Even though our hearts are shattered, all of those who loved him are better people for having had Tom in their lives, and he will remain in our hearts forever.

A celebration of Tom’s life (and birthday) will be held at Smith Sherwood Funeral Home (7700 Hwy 107) on Saturday. March 27, 2021 at 11:00AM.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to NLR Arkansas Hospice for their generosity and their loving, compassionate care.

“There are places I remember

All my life though some have changed

Some forever not for better

Some have gone and some remain

All these places had their moments

With lovers and friends I still can recall

Some are dead and some are living

In my life I’ve loved them all”

- The Beatles