Harold G. Thomas, 89, of Waldron, Arkansas, was born October 1, 1936, in Waldron to Graden Joe and Ida Lillian (Duncan) Thomas. He passed away on January 21, 2026, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, faith, family devotion, and quiet strength.
Harold began working at a very young age on his parents’ dairy farm, learning early the value of responsibility and perseverance. After graduating high school, he went to work the very next morning at Barber Construction in Texas, where he worked for two and a half years. He returned home to Waldron on September 15, 1956, and on September 18, 1956, began employment at the Waldron Furniture Factory, where he remained until October of 1989. He then went to work for Tyson Foods on October 12, 1989, and continued there until his retirement on April 1, 2000. In 46 years of working life, Harold held only three jobs and was never without work for more than four days-including weekends-a testament to his remarkable work ethic and dedication.
Harold proudly served his country as a United States Army veteran. He enlisted in the Army Reserves in 1956 with the 95th Infantry Rifle Company. From July 1957 to January 1958, he served on active duty, completing Basic Training, Advanced Basic Training, Company Clerk duties, and Clerk Typist School, where Hoyt Goodner served as his instructor. He completed his service before being honorably discharged to the inactive list.
A love story that began in high school became the foundation of Harold’s life. He dated his beloved wife, Alfa Raye Moore, for two years before they were married on July 13, 1958, at Square Rock Methodist Church, officiated by Carl Mathews. Together, they built a life rooted in love, faith, and hard work. They lived in several homes around Waldron before building their forever home on Highway 248 West in the Haw Creek community, moving there on September 20, 1967.
Harold loved the land and the life it provided. He always kept a large garden, raised cattle, and especially loved working the farm in the Denton Community. Putting up hay each summer was a labor he embraced with pride and purpose. The farm was not just work to him-it was peace, tradition, and a way of life he deeply cherished.
He was a faithful member of Waldron First Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, quietly leading by example through service, integrity, and faith.
Harold leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife of 67 years, Alfa Raye (Moore) Thomas, of the home; his daughter, Vanessa Reed and husband Tony; his son, Alan Thomas and wife Devonda; grandchildren Cassie Isenhower-Coon and husband Drew, Megan Umphress, Ashton Thomas, and Dustin Thomas; and great-grandchildren Adriana Umphress, Regina Umphress, Kaydan Thomas, Emma Grace Thomas, Bentley Thomas, and Grayson Thomas. He is also survived by two sisters, Shirley Goodman and Anna Nell Johnson.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Clara Dean Moore; two brothers, Harley Thomas and Joe Thomas; his parents, Graden Joe Thomas and Ida Lillian (Duncan) Thomas; and his stepmother, Ina Maye Thomas.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 23, 2026, at Waldron First Baptist Church, with Rev. Ken Overturf officiating. Interment will follow at Sehorn Cemetery in Winfield, Arkansas.Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until service time on Friday at the church.
Pallbearers will be Ashton Thomas, Dustin Thomas, Bryan Kopf, Jimmy Macky, Billy Joe Thomas, Mitch Crotts, and Paul Plummer. Honorary pallbearers will be the Deacons of Waldron First Baptist Church.
Arrangements are entrusted to Heritage Memorial Funeral Home of Waldron, Arkansas.
