SIDNEY MATTHEWS THOM
of Little Rock died on February 13, 2023.He was born in Little Rock on January 23, 1931, and was the son of the late Irene and Howard Thom.
After graduating in 1953 from the University of Arkansas, he entered the U.S.
Army with a commission and completed the basic infantry officer’s course at Ft. Benning, Ga. Following two years active duty, he was discharged in Ulm, Germany having served as Assistant Regimental Supply Officer with the 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Division. Returning home, he joined the 431st Civil Affairs Reserve Unit as supply officer and held the position for eight years while attaining the rank of Captain.
He was hired by the appraisal firm of Connor, Baldwin & Farris which had been awarded the contract for the condemnation of property required for the proposed I-30. Mr. Thom was responsible for the inspection and appraisal of 450 parcels of improved real estate needed for the construction of I-30 across the Arkansas River.
Later, he formed Sidney M. Thom & Co. and was selected by Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co of Milwaukee, Wisc., as their correspondent for the origination of residential and commercial loans for the state of Arkansas. During this period, he also became an approved mortagee for HUD and the VA.
In 1979, his company was chosen by the Catholic Diocese of Little Rock, the Episcopal Diocese of Arkansas, and the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church which had been selected by the federal government for the construction of two hundred units of housing for the elderly under the name of Good Shepherd Retirement Center located on Aldersgate Road. His company responsibility included acting as liaison during construction between the sponsors, contractor and the federal government until completion. Subsequently, he served in the same capacity for seven other federally funded elderly housing projects including Gorman Towers in Ft. Smith, Levi Towers in Hot Spring and Jonesboro Retirement Center.
Sidney celebrated his 84-year as a member of the Second Presbyterian Church where he served as deacon, member of the session and Sunday school teacher. Sidney was a dedicated gardener and a past member of the Pulaski County Master Gardeners. As a longtime member of the Country Club of Little Rock, he enjoyed many years of tennis and golf. He had a standing doubles game for 62 years.
Above all else, Sidney was a devoted husband, father and friend. He loved traveling with his wife Emily. He not only managed to reach all seven continents but could also relay vivid stories of countless adventures for years to come. He found immense joy in spending time with his children and grandchildren, whether it was on vacation, dancing, swimming or playing games with them, he was always full of life, love and laughter.
He had a gift for making people feel at ease and was always ready with an entertaining story. He had a talent for connecting people and worked hard to ensure his extended family stayed in touch and knew each other well. Sidney never met a stranger and had a world full of friends. He could strike up a conversation with any person, in any country, and within minutes could usually find a connection, often having to do with the South.
His endearing smile, boundless energy and love for life will live on in our memories forever.
Sidney is survived by his beloved wife of 37 years, Emily, his son, Sidney M. Thom, Jr. (Taylor), daughter Rebecca D. Thom Berk (Kevin) and their children, Charles L. Berk, Sidney Ann Berk and Pressley Luedecke-Walcik and brother, Ronald H. Thom.
He is also survived by his stepdaughter, Emily Dean Gregory, two step-grandchildren, Abigail Armstrong (William) and Margaret Hart (Thomas) and their children Amelia Grace Hart, Dean Thomas Hart and Henry Francis Armstrong.
Services are to be held at Second Presbyterian Church on Friday, February 17, 2023, at 2 p.m. A reception will be held in the Second Hall following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Second Presbyterian Church and the Salvation Army. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com