of Lamar, AR

Thomas Richard ''Tom'' Stephenson, 82, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away unexpectedly on January 7th, 2024. Tom was born on March 29, 1941 in Siloam Springs, Arkansas to Billy Lincoln Stephenson and Janey Hugh Dean Stephenson. Tom graduated from Arkadelphia High School then received a Bachelor's degree in psychology from Henderson State University where he was a middle distance runner for their track team. He received his Master's degree in psychology from the University of Arkansas and a Ph.D. in psychology from Utah State University. Tom spent approximately 20 years in the Army and achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During the Vietnam War, he was deployed to Thailand. He was a professor of psychology for 30 years at the University of the Ozarks and took great joy in watching his students grow academically. He also was a Marriage and Family Therapist for Counseling Associates and Cass Job Corps. Tom was an avid sports fan and coached his children and other area youth in baseball and basketball through the Boys and Girls' Club. He also served for several decades as a member of the chain gang for Friday night football games at Lamar High School. He enjoyed antiques and vintage cars as well as being a hobby breeder for golden retrievers and Great Pyrenees. Tom was a life-long learner and in retirement, was especially interested in craftsmanship and building projects. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Tom was a unique eccentric. He was an educator and coach in everything he did, imparting wisdom and cultivating curiosity to everyone he engaged. He valued hard work, education, honesty, talking and having fun. He loved to listen to vinyl records, especially big band and jazz music and would often implore his children to ''come listen to this one''. He and Sammie enjoyed dancing with each other and won the anniversary dance at their granddaughter's wedding. He was an insatiable reader and would often give books to others as gifts - usually with a personal inscription on the front page. However, he especially excelled in helping others dealing with loss, tragedy and trauma.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Billy and Janey Stephenson and his younger brother, Burt Toone.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sammie (Pegg) Stephenson and their six children, Timi Stephenson Nelson (Daniel), Thomas Stephenson, Jr. (Cristiane), Taba Stephenson Thurman (Shane), Toney Stephenson (Laura), Tosh Stephenson and Chess Stephenson (Riley); sixteen grandchildren, Mandy Thomas Newlove (Bryan), Terry Thomas Jr. (Christian), Jai Fults, Gabrielle Thurman Armer (Zach), Trey Thurman, Thomas Stephenson, William Stephenson, Margaret Stephenson, Sophie Stephenson, Corbett Stephenson, Janey Stephenson, Jett Stephenson (Skylynn), Lana Stephenson, Téa Stephenson and six great-grandchildren, Luke King Jr., Thomas King, Heidi Post, Sarah Thomas, Terry Thomas III and Hazel Stephenson. He is also survived by three siblings, Jan Scheuer, Mack Freeman (Ila) and Toney Freeman (Carolyn).

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tom's birth date, Friday, March 29th, 2024, at Raymond Munger Chapel on the campus of the University of the Ozarks. The rendering of military honors by the United States Army Honor Guard will follow at 1:00 p.m., at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Clarksville under the direction of Roller-Cox Funeral Home in Clarksville.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Cox Funeral Home
Rogers & Poplar Streets
Clarksville, AR  72830
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com