of Marianna, AR
December 17, 1934 - October 10, 2025
Thomas Hottel Gist, Jr., successful Lee County farmer, businessman and community leader, passed away on October 10, 2025 in Marianna, Arkansas. He was born December 17, 1934 in Helena, Arkansas to the late Jessamine Daggett and Thomas Hottel Gist, Sr.
A lifelong resident of Marianna, Tom grew up with his sister Jessamine and parents on their family farm in Lee County, working as a young man with his father. During high school he was named the 1950 National Corn Growing Champion. After graduating from T. A. Futrall High School in 1952, he attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Columbia University in New York and Mississippi State in Starkville, receiving a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration and Agriculture in 1957. During his college years, he was President of Sigma Chi Fraternity, President of Alpha Zeta Agriculture Honor Society and Blue Key Honor Society.
Tom returned to Marianna after college, dedicating himself to growing the family farm and a family of his own. He was respected for his farming success and humility and was featured in a 1997 Wall Street Journal article for his use of technology in modern farming.
He was appointed to many boards of directors including Farmland Industries in Kansas City, Mississippi Chemical in Yazoo City, Riceland Foods in Stuttgart, Southern Farmers Association in Little Rock, Farm Credit Banks of St. Louis (Chairman), Mid-South Farm Credit in Jonesboro, First National Bank of Eastern Arkansas Advisory Board, Tri-County Farmers Cooperative in Brinkley, Helena Cotton Oil Mill, Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board, Lee County Grain Dryer, Farmers and Merchants Bank of Eastern Arkansas, Lee-Phillips Drainage District, and Larkin Creek Drainage District. Tom also served as President of Farm Bureau and Manager of Lee Phillips Co-op Gin.
In 2002, Mr. Gist was honored as an inductee into the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame. And beginning in 2004, he was elected Justice of the Peace for the Lee County Quorum Court, serving the citizens of Lee County for many years.
Tom was a faithful, active member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Marianna where he was Sr. Warden, member of the Vestry and a Eucharistic Visitor. He was a passionate Razorback fan, avid duck hunter and co-founder of the Dutch Slough Hunting Club, a golfer, and an enthusiastic collector of Marilyn Monroe memorabilia and classic antique cars. Tom held a private pilot license and enjoyed flying to distant board meetings and Razorback games as well as to monitor his fields from above.
Tom Gist was preceded in death by his wife of 30 years Natalie Scarborough Gist and former wife Sylvia Rousseau. He is survived by daughters Sydney Gist White (Rick) of Stuttgart and Lisa Gist Robertson (Kirk) of McLean, VA and sons Trey Gist (Laura) of Little Rock and Johnny McManus (Lori) of Jackson, TN. Grandchildren include Lindsey White Smith, Jennifer White, Blake, Carter and Kendall Robertson, Taylor McManus and Collins Gist. GreatGrandchildren are Blakeleigh and Josie Smith. They will miss their ''Grandad'' who taught them about humility, love of the land and God, and learning from mistakes.
A graveside service will be held at Marianna Memorial Park Cemetery on Saturday, November 1, 2025 at 2:00 P.M.. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Arkansas Community Foundation, Gist Family Endowment, 5 Allied Drive, Little Rock, AR 72202 or St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 49. S. Carolina Street., Marianna, Arkansas 72360. Roller-Citizens Funeral Home has charge of arrangements. Family and friends may view and sign online guestbook at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/Marianna