BENTONVILLE — Tom J. Keith,

81 of Bentonville, Ark., died of a brief illness at his home on Tuesday, June 23, 2020. He was born Nov. 12, 1938, in Dutch Creek, Ark., in Yell County as the son of Elder Wesley J. Keith and V. Elaine (Stanberry) Keith.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Tom leaves behind his loving wife of 25 years, Henri Kemper Keith, and Izzie, his precious dog, of the home; daughter Lynn E. Keith and partner Cathi McMahan of Morrilton; son Sean T. Keith and wife Amy of Rogers; daughter Jacqueline E. Bridgers and husband Sam of Canton, N.C.; stepdaughters Linda Owings Beatty and husband Denver of Richmond, Texas, and Beth Owings Repke and husband John of Whitefish, Mont.; grandchildren Patrick and Mallory Keith of Rogers, Chrystian and Zoey Bridgers of Canton, N.C., Danielle and Forrest Beatty of Richmond, Texas, and Rachel, Meredith and Jack Repke of Whitefish, Mont.; sister LaRhoda Murphy of Napa, Calif.; brother W. Daryel Keith (Katie) of Searcy, Ark.; and aunt Evie Keith Clemons of Waldron, Ark. He will be missed by a large circle of adoring nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Tom started his career as a newspaper reporter following his honorable discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps. At the age of 28 he enrolled as a student at

the University of Arkansas

while working at the Northwest Arkansas Times and graduated with his juris doctorate in 1973.

He moved to Rogers to start his law practice. He was Benton County’s first public defender. In 1982 he was elected municipal judge of Rogers and subsequently elected as a circuit judge where he served as senior circuit judge until his retirement in 2008.

His younger years were spent on the softball field either pitching, umpiring/ announcing, and coaching local youth. You could find him every Monday night at his bowling league. He loved the law and ensuring justice was found in front of him — either through fair and appropriate punishment or compassion of which he gave out a healthy dose of both.

He was well-respected and held in high esteem by hundreds of attorneys across the state. He was a member of the Tuesday Noon Men’s Bible Study Group and Keypoint Church of Bentonville, Ark.

A family graveside service will be held this Saturday under the direction of Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services and a celebration of life is being planned for the future. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Arkansas Bar Foundation in Little Rock. To leave an online condolence please visit www.stockdalemoody.com.