Winford Harold Thames, 92, of Greenwood, Arkansas went to be with his Savior Thursday, September 23, 2021. Harold was born to Melvin W. Thames and Ruth Tankersley Thames on July 9, 1929 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He graduated from Fort Smith High School in 1947, and attended UA at Fayetteville until he joined the US Navy where he served for 4 years as a radio and radar technician. He was a professional carpenter before he started working at Baldor Electric, where he was known as “Smiley.” He spent the next 32 years in a variety of positions as he worked his way from a motor winder to Production Scheduling Manager, his last position before retiring in 1992. He was a member of Jenny Lind First Baptist Church where he faithfully served the Lord as a teacher, deacon, church treasurer, and general fix-it-man as long as his health allowed. He was a skilled carpenter and general jack-of-all-trades with the ability to build or fix almost anything, and he was always quick to help people.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Nancy Maness Thames who died in January 2021. The past 8 months were the longest time they were apart since they married in 1952. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Donald L. Thames; daughter, Sharon Williams; grandson, Aaron Gamble and great-grandson, Landry Gamble. He is survived by his children, Dan Thames (Lisa), Kenny Thames (Stacy) and Laurie Young (Don) all of Greenwood; brothers, Jim Thames of Rogers, AR and Chuck Thames (Maureen) of Greenwood; sister, Ruth Ann Dearness of Owensboro, KY; grandchildren, Brian Williams (Sarah), Tara Gamble, Derek Williams (Leah), Brad Thames (Shui-yi), Don Thames (Emily), Chris Turner, Anthony Turner (Lauren), Kayla Smith (Hayden), Hunter Johnson, and Lindsay (Eric) Ryan Rachel Brasher (Toby), Seth Woodhull (Brenna), Caleb Young and 12 great-grandchildren with one on the way - along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
A service in memory of Harold’s earthly life and in celebration of his heavenly eternity will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, September 28 at Jenny Lind First Baptist Church with Pastor Clay Kibler officiating. Private interment will be at Steep Hill Cemetery in Fort Smith under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood. Viewing will be Monday from 1 – 7 p.m. at the funeral home, where the family will visit with friends from 5 – 7 p.m.
Pallbearers will be grandsons: Brian Williams, Derek Williams, Don Thames, Seth Woodhull, Toby Brasher and Caleb Young. Honorary pallbearers will be grandsons: Brad Thames, Hayden Smith, Chris Turner, Anthony Turner, Hunter Johnson and Eric Ryan.
Harold loved the Lord, his family, and his church family, and was always ready to help in any way he could. He was a very hard worker, but also liked to fish, travel, work jigsaw puzzles, and be a tease. Even when dementia took almost every ability and enjoyment from him, he continued to be a jokester in his lucid moments. His family would like to say a special thank you to the staff of The Gardens at Memory Lane, Van Buren, and the staff of Heart of Hospice for treating Harold with such loving patience, care, and dignity in his final months and days.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Jenny Lind First Baptist Church Mission Fund, 1910 Gate Nine Rd, Greenwood, AR 72936 or The Gideons International https://www.gideons.org/donate.
To place online condolences, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.
