THOMAS MICHAEL MEHAFFY “MIKE”
died peacefully at home on August 10, 2020, at the age of 84. He was a life long resident of Little Rock. He was born on February 8, 1936, to Judge Pat Mehaffy and Kathryn Kurtz Mehaffy.
Mike attended Little Rock public schools until high school when he entered Culver Military Academy. While at Culver he played tennis, football and wrestled. Upon graduation he was presented the Chambers Award given to the cadet who excelled in both academics and athletics. He entered Georgia Tech where he received a Bachelor of Civil Engineering. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and played varsity tennis. Upon graduation Mike and Sheila Watkins were married after dating since junior high. They were married for 61 years and have two children, Melissa McCain (Missy) and Pat Mehaffy.
After he received his Registered Professional Engineer status he founded Thomco Inc, Mehaffy Construction and Simco. The companies do primarily bridge work in the state. He was also part owner of Jet Asphalt in El Dorado. Mike loved the construction business and the many friends he made through the years. He was pleased and proud when his son joined him in the business.
Mike was an outdoorsman who especially enjoyed duck hunting. He spent happy times at his club, Bam Bam, with his friends and dogs. He also played tennis throughout his lifetime… winning several State and Regional titles. Until recently he played “Old Man Doubles” several times a week. Mike also loved to fly airplanes. He got his private pilots license when he was 25 and flew for many years. He enjoyed taking his family and friends on trips. He served on the Twin City Bank board, the Little Rock Boys and Girls Club Board, the Arkansas Tennis Patrons Foundation, the University of Arkansas Foundation Board and the Board of the Little Rock Country Club.
Mike loved his family and was proud of them. He is survived by his wife, Sheila; his children, Melissa “Missy” Mehaffy McCain (Thomas), and Patrick Dixon Mehaffy (Laura); and five grandchildren whom he adored: Megan Elizabeth McCain, the Rev Michael Thomas McCain, Michael Wingfield Mehaffy, Max Milam Mehaffy and Kathryn Bertyle McCain. He is also survived by his sister, Kathryn Mehaffy Beaird of Shreveport, La.
A private graveside service will be at Mount Holly Cemetery on Thursday, August 13, at 11 a.m. Memorials may be made to the Little Rock Boys and Girls Club, Delta Waterfowl, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral or a charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, ruebelfuneralhome.com