Obituaries

Thomas Vincent Harkins

Photo of Thomas Vincent Harkins
THOMAS VINCENT HARKINS (TOMMY) passed away on Thursday July 20, 2017. He was born Aug. 24, 1934 in Memphis, Tenn. A lifelong sports enthusiast and athlete Tommy was able to spend his early years honing his skills as a high school quarterback for Christian Brothers High School in Memphis, Tenn. He was recruited by Vanderbilt University where he played end. From this position he helped lead Vanderbilt to the 1955 Gator Bowl where they beat a three touchdown favorite Auburn Tiger team 25-12. Tommy went on to represent Vanderbilt in the 1956 Senior Bowl All-Star game in Mobile, Ala. Although drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles, Tommy decided to play in the CFL for the Ottawa Roughriders playing two seasons before returning to the States as the head coach for Roanoke Catholic High School in Roanoke, Va. He coached for five seasons and in his fifth and final season his team obtained a 9-1 record and the city championship. In his later years Tommy was blessed to receive many accolades including being inducted into the Christian Brothers Hall of Fame and the Roanoke Catholic High School Athletic Hall of Fame, recipient of the All American Football Foundations Bill Wade Unsung Hero Award in 2002, and along with his Gator Bowl team mates Tommy received the Significant Historic Achievement Award presented by the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2015. In 1966 he started a new career in the investment business where he continued to coach and mentor young men and women toward success. He was affectionately known as Coach throughout the investment community. The investment business brought him and his family to Little Rock in 1979 as he was recruited to run the fixed income division of TJ Raney and Son's. His career in the investment business lasted 36 years until his retirement from Morgan Keegan as Managing Director in 2002. Professional accolades include: Arbitrator for the NASD District 5, and Vice Chairman of the NASD Business Conduct Committee District 5. Tommy had a deep love for sports, and investments but his true passion was for his family; his wife of 42 years Donna and his children, Tommy Jr, (Shelly) Terri, Gary, Dan, and James (Amy). He was proud of each of his kids for their varied accomplishments and he made this known to all he encountered. He was also proud of and deeply loved his grandchildren, Tommy Harkins III, Joseph Harkins, Sarah Grace Crutcher, and Alex Harkins and great grandchildren, Jenni Rose Harkins and Jillian Alyssa Harkins. He is also survived by his three brothers, Jerry (Mary Lou), Charlie (Marilyn) and Johnny (Georgia). A visitation will be held at Ruebel Funeral Home located at 6313 West Markham St. in Little Rock, Ark., on the 24th of July 2017 from 5–6:30 p.m. with Rosary beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church located at 103 North Tyler Street on the 25th of July 2017 at 10:30 a.m. Memorials can be made to Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church, Little Rock, Ark., or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tenn. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.

Published July 23, 2017

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