of Benton, AR
July 30, 1943 - February 3, 2026
Thomas Allen Trantham, age 82, went to his heavenly home on February 3, 2026 in Benton. He was born in Blytheville to Doyle and Thelma Trantham.
Thomas was preceded in death by his loving wife, Tina Trantham. Together they raised a family and created countless memories, always cherishing the time spent together. They loved to travel, exploring new places and enjoying adventures, while bringing joy to others.
He was a proud Vietnam veteran, having honorably served his country, and a strong man whose dedication to hard work never wavered. He helped others through his work in the transportation industry, both as a mechanic and a truck driver, taking pride in doing a job well. Alongside his work with big trucks, he loved tinkering at home, constantly finding ways to make things better, and there was, without fail, a big smile on his face when he was working on his beloved tractor.
His life was rooted in love for family, serving as a provider, protector, and role model, whose strength and guidance shaped the lives of those he loved. He took care of those around him, led by compassion and a sincere heart, always doing what he believed was right, whether coming at a moment's notice to fix a household problem, teaching family members to drive, or stepping in as a steady, dependable caregiver. Above all, he was everyone's Pop, a constant presence of love, wisdom, and support. He was always ready with a word of encouragement, a joke to lighten the day, or simply checking in to make sure everyone was okay. Being Pop was the role he cherished most, and it left a lasting mark on all who knew him.
He understood what it meant to be a strong man, knowing when to be firm and when to show gentle care. His strength was matched by his warmth and wit, and he carried his humor wherever he went, always ready with a smile or a kind word. One of his favorite sayings, when asked how he was doing on a difficult day, was, ''I'm kicking… just not real high.'' He loved to make people smile, and laughter was a gift he freely shared with everyone around him.
He left a lasting mark on the world through his love, laughter, hard work, and the countless ways he cared for others. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and is survived by his loving family. Survivors are his children Thomas W. Trantham (Karen), Micheal Trantham (Mandy), Kristen Dowdle (Mike) and Kayla Ellison (Jonathan); his grandchildren Alexandria, Julia, Katie, Nola, Sarah (Thomas) and Elizabeth; his great-grandchildren Natalie, Allen, Nikaiya, and Jonathan.
''I remember picking him up one Thanksgiving and he told me, ''Never change who you are, and you'll always be successful in whatever you do.'' He was a quiet man, but full of wisdom. Those words have stayed with me through the years and continue to guide me.'' -Sarah
''I have so many memories; you never know what you would learn at Pop's house. It could be a life lesson, how to fix something, family history, or one of his inventions he created. It was always a joy. One of my fondest memories was when I got my driver's license and I had to go to Pop's driving school. He let me drive and drive, when suddenly we had arrived at a lake. Of course there were many gas and brake checks along the way. (But I think I passed!) At another point in time, I got my first pickup truck, and I just had to go show Pop! He liked it and was so happy for me. Then he wanted to take me to get a tool box to put into the back of the truck. That was an adventure. We went to so many stores and finally found one. There are so many more memories we have, but one of the best ones I have is when I heard he had asked Jesus to be in his heart. I can rest assured that I will see my Pop again.'' -Katie
A celebration of life is planned at Roller-Chenal and details will be shared with family and friends before he is laid to rest at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock.