Thomas Garvin Fitton

Thomas Garvin Fitton (“Tom”), a resident of Harrison, Arkansas, died Monday, July 10, 2023, at his home.

The memorial service will be on July 15 at 1:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, with Pastor Angie Gage officiating.  Visitation with the family in the Fellowship Hall will follow the service.  The graveside service will be held at a later date with family at Maplewood Cemetery, where he will be interred beside his wife, Ann Fitton.  Honorary pallbearers will be Bill McDaniel, Joe Baldwin, Steve Henderson, Dennis James, Ken Stewart, and John Arthur Hammerschmidt.

Tom was born on November 21, 1948, at the old Baptist Hospital downtown in Little Rock, Arkansas.  When he was a young child, his family moved to Harrison, Arkansas, and he graduated from Harrison High School (Class of 1966).  He attended the University of Arkansas, where he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, and he completed his studies at Arkansas Tech University with a major in Park Management.

Tom was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church of Harrison.  He served in the United States Army Reserves for six years and was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.  He frequently stepped up to support his community.  He served as a den leader in the Cub Scouts and as an alderman on the Harrison City Council for a number of years.

A strong supporter of the arts, he acted in many plays at the Lyric, spent time as an assistant director and in other theater-supporting roles, and served on the Ozark Arts Council board of directors.

Tom owned an extermination business, Fitton Termite & Pest Control, from 1983 until he retired.  He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who was supportive of all the achievements of his wife, his children, and his grandchildren.

Proud to call the Ozarks his home for many decades, Tom was an avid fisherman who told tall tales – but could back them up.  He never knew a stranger and never turned down the opportunity to help others.  Spending time with friends and family was of the utmost importance to him, and he loved the Arkansas Razorbacks.  He also became a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs later in life.

Tom’s love of travel was obvious to everyone who knew him. He frequently traveled to many different foreign places, including Belize and Mexico during his retirement years, and he always had another trip planned before he even returned home.  He and his wife, Ann, shared a love for all things travel and enjoyed sharing such experiences with friends and family.

Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Ann Fitton.  Survivors include his sons, T. J. and Pete Fitton; his daughters, Christy Roberts and Lelia Eye along with her husband, Russell Eye; his grandchildren, Annelle, Rosalind, and Phineas; and his sister, Ann Kelly.

Tom lived by the credo to love one another, forgive one another, and never hold grudges.  If you needed the shirt off his back, he would give it to you, never expecting anything in return.  He was a gentleman who put more into the world than he ever took out.  He will be greatly missed for his selflessness.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of the Hills Hospice House, First United Methodist Church, Ozark Humane Society, Ozark Arts Council, Boone County Heritage Museum, or a charity of your choice.

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