Tommy Lewis Garland, 80, of Ward, Arkansas, went to be with the Lord on April 23, 2022 at his home after a short, but courageous battle with cancer.  He was born May 1, 1941 in Cabot, Arkansas to the late Louis and Nellie Garland.  He was the fifth of seven children.  He grew up being called Jimmy due to his dad putting a different name than his mother wanted on the birth certificate.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers R.L., Donald, Charles, Larry and one sister, Vernell.

Tommy grew up in Austin and attended Cabot High School before joining the United States Navy in 1958.  He met his bride and the love of his life, Lorena, in September of 1960.  They were married later that year on October 16.  He served in the Navy for twenty-one and a half years achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer (E8).  He received two purple hearts, a bronze star and other numerous commendations.

After retirement from the Navy, he received an Associate's Degree from Arkansas State University-Beebe.  He taught Auto Body & Paint for twenty years at Foothills Vocational Technical School and two area high school programs in Arkansas.

He loved spending time with his family and shared his passion for street rods with many of them.  He restored countless street rods during his lifetime and taught his children and grandchildren to do the same.  He loved to attend car shows all across the country.

Tommy is survived by his wife of sixty-one years, Lorena Garland of Ward, Arkansas; children, Jerry (Carla) Garland of Ward Arkansas, Theresa (Mark) Fortson of Jacksonville, Arkansas, Missy (Doug) Moats of Ola, Arkansas, and Becky (Todd) Blacklaw of North Ogden, Utah; sister Bobbye Jean (Bob) Theiring of Cabot, Arkansas as well as many extended family members, military and car show friends, and breakfast buddies.  He loved being Papaw or Pops to his grandchildren, Lucus, Alex, Mallory, Macey, Haylee, Austin, and Mason; great-grandchildren, Lucus Anthony, Chandler, Gavin, Sadie, Caleb, Liam, Jake, Everleigh, and one on the way, Isabella.

Funeral services will be at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, April 28, 2022 at Moore's Cabot Funeral Home.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service beginning at 5:00 p.m.  Hot Rod friends may join us in honoring him by driving their classic hot rods to the service.  The family wishes to also thank Searcy Hospice for caring for our loved one in his last days.  Arrangements by Moore's Cabot Funeral Home, 501-843-5816.