Thomas Maroney

Thomas E. "Tom" Maroney, 77, of Perla died Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008, at Hot Spring County Medical Center. He was born April 30, 1930, in Perla, the son of Archie George and Lena Mae Blundell Maroney.

He was a graduate of Malvern High School, an Air Force veteran, attended Henderson State University and had retired from Alcoa, where he was a laboratory analyst. Tom had served his community well, serving as Perla's first (and Arkansas's longest-serving) mayor for 40 years.

Tom was a life member of the National Rifle Association and an active member of the First United Methodist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Sue Watson; and grandson, Kevin Helms.

Survivors are his wife of 30 years, Vinnie Maroney; son, Charles Edward Maroney of Alexander; four daughters, Gail Cliff and husband Bob of Bryant, Susan Bowers of Benton, Mary Kay Wurm and husband Mike of Hot Springs and Dee- Ann Scott and husband James of Hot Springs; eight grandchildren,; nine great-grandchildren; aunt Dorothy Blundell of Hot Springs; cousin Barbara Brown of Fayetteville, Ga.; and numerous nieces and cousins.

Funeral services were Tuesday, Feb. 12, at the First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Stephen Wingo officiating. Burial followed in the Shadowlawn Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Arlie Daniel, James Daniel, William Farber, Larry Parker, Chris Walthall and Scott Blundell.

Honorary pallbearers were Perla Mayor Raymond Adams, members of the Perla City Council, Perla City Police Chief Joe Paul Owens and all Tom's hunting and fishing friends.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, Malvern, or Friends of the Animal Shelter.

Arrangements are by Regency Funeral Home of Malvern, Arkansas. Guestbook may be signed online at regencyfuneralhome. com.