Gist remembered as an innovator, man of faith
“Mr. Gist has played a transformative role in advancing Arkansas agriculture through his leadership, innovation, charity, and service across agribusiness, agricultural finance, and generosity towards this alma mater.” — Lanier Nalley
By Mary Hightower
U of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Oct. 27, 2025
Fast facts:
- Gist remembered for innovation, love of agriculture
- Graveside service set for Nov. 1
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MARIANNA, Ark. — Thomas Gist was not only a man of deep faith; he was also a believer in how technology could transform farming.
Gist grew up in Marianna on the family farm. He left to attend the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Columbia University in New York, and Mississippi State in Starkville, but returned to grow the farm and his family.
“Mr. Gist has played a transformative role in advancing Arkansas agriculture through his leadership, innovation, charity, and service across agribusiness, agricultural finance, and generosity towards this alma mater,” said Lanier Nalley, head of agricultural economics and agribusiness for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.
“As a University of Arkansas alumnus, his enduring commitment to education and community engagement continues to inspire future generations of agricultural leaders through initiatives such as the Future of Arkansas Agriculture and Beyond lecture series,” Nalley said.
Across his lifetime, Gist acquired many skills, including being a pilot. He also became interested in computers in the early 1980s.
Steve Higginbotham, who like Gist, farmed in Marianna, recalled a cross-state flying trip he made with Gist to get a computer in Fort Smith.
“That was the closest place at that time he could get the computer,” Higginbotham said. “This was in the really early days of computers.”
Higginbotham said Gist also had a gift for bringing people together.
“I always enjoyed serving on boards with him because he was always level-headed and could see both sides of the story very well,” he said. “He was just a real kind, gentle person I don't think I ever heard him raise his voice or get upset. He was a real gentleman.”
Nalley valued his time with Gist.
“I will miss my conversations with Mr. Gist as having 45 minutes on the phone with him was the equivalent of a college course,” Nalley said. “Mr. Gist loved Arkansas, agriculture, and the University of Arkansas, a passion shared by the agricultural economics department.”
Higginbotham, who attended church with Gist said, “The church was very, very important to him. His faith was important to him. Saint Andrews Episcopal Church is important to him.” Gist served as lay reader, senior warden, member of the vestry and a eucharistic visitor.
Gist was also an avid Razorbacks fan and duck hunter.
“When Tom was younger, he would he probably hunt 55 out of 60 days in a season,” Higginbotham said.
Gist was inducted into the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2002. He found time to serve on more than a dozen boards, including as chair of the Farm Credit Banks of St. Louis, Farm Bureau president and the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. In 2004, he was elected Justice of the Peace for the Lee County Quorum Court.
“Not only did the U of A lose a much-appreciated friend and supporter and leader in Tom, but so did the state and Arkansas agriculture of Marianna community,” said Mark Cochran, retired head of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “Gist’s involvement on so many boards and in so many aspects of agriculture have provided “impacts that are long-standing. He’ll be missed by those in agriculture and across the university.”
A graveside service will be held at Marianna Memorial Park Cemetery at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Father Travis Frank will officiate.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu/. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
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Media contact: Mary Hightower
mhightower@uada.edu