Hoyt DeWayne Thomas

Hoyt DeWayne Thomas of Heber Springs, AR died on August 14, 2025. He was born April 15, 1936, in Alabama, living there until his late teen years at which time he moved to Arkansas. For the past 53 years, he has been a resident of Heber Springs.

Before finishing high school, he left school to enlist in the United States Air Force. After serving his country in that capacity for three and half years, he returned to civilian life and continued his education having earned a BA Degree from UALR after which he received a degree from the UofA School of Law in 1969.

In 1972, he moved his family from Little Rock to Heber Springs and opened his private law practice which he continued until his retirement in 2019. In 2020, the Arkansas Supreme Court recognized him for over 50 years of dedication and honorable service to the legal profession.

In addition to his professional life, he served his community in many capacities. He was a member of the City Council, served as the President of the Heber Springs Chamber of Commerce and more recently was inducted into the Chamber of Commerce Hall of Honor.

Hoyt joined the First Methodist Church in 1972 and has been an active member serving in several areas. He taught Disciple Bible Class 25 years and touched many lives in doing so. He was involved in the Walk to Emmaus of which he served on the Board of Directors and was a Walk Director in 1990. This was so meaningful to him and under his leadership he witnessed many people from his church and surrounding area churches attend the Walk.

His philosophy was to win as many disciples for Christ as possible. He was a Christian first, he loved his Lord and demonstrated his faith and love for the Lord in his daily life. He always wanted to be and was a part of the church fellowship.

During his life, he was fortunate to have time to devote to the things he enjoyed the most: spending time with his family and friends and being out in nature which he referred to as "God's Country" so many times. He enjoyed traveling out west several times to elk hunt with close friends. He also loved duck hunting in Arkansas, skeet shooting and his association and involvement in the local gun club.

He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He always put family second only to the Lord.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Charles and Earl Thomas.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Linda Thomas. Two sons: Brooks and Tammy Thomas of Northwest Arkansas, Kevin and Netta Thomas of Heber Springs. Four grandchildren: Ryan (Joy) Thomas, Rachel (Doug) Miller; Hannah (Eli) Davis, and Zach Thomas; six great grandchildren, Hosanna, Haddon, Josiah, and twins Elliana and Elijah Thomas, and great grandson, Samuel Clark Robert Davis; sister Patti Saucier, as well as many special nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

How Hoyt would like to be remembered: That he did his best to win Disciples for Christ. He taught Disciple Bible Class for 25 years. A Disciple is one who learns God's word then shares it with others. "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you, and remember I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20)

In lieu of flowers, you can make a donation to Renew Church In Heber Springs or plant a tree in his memory.