A gathering of family and friends will be held for Thomas Bryan (Tom) Hargrove of West Monroe, La on Sunday, November 12 from 2-4 at Kilpatrick Funeral Home, West Monroe.  At Tom’s request, there will be no funeral service.

Tom was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana to Virginia Husted Hargrove and Henry Bryan “Hank” Hargrove and his family moved to Monroe when he was 2 years old.  He attended Neville High School, where he ran track.  He graduated from Marion Military Institute in Marion, Alabama and also graduated from Northeast Louisiana University (now ULM).  For many years, Tom was a faithful member of Grace Episcopal Church and also served as an usher.

Tom was a man’s man, always the tough guy and always strong.  He was definitely an “old soul”; always saying he was born in the wrong era and envying those who lived in the 1800s.  He was a man of integrity and with Tom, it was either black or white, right or wrong.  There was no in between and he certainly did not mind letting you know his opinion.  He never budged on things that mattered to him.  He was truly one of a kind!  He loved animals, and partnered many times with Deborah at the Pet Place.  They were a great team, finding homes for many dogs; lots of them ending up at his own home.   He could never leave a dog that needed to be rescued.

Tom was somewhat of a loner and enjoyed solitude at his camp, “tinkering” around in his shop watching re-runs of Gilligan’s Island, reloading or outside shooting his guns.  He loved being on his John Deere tractor bush hogging for hours.  He was a brilliant man and a deep thinker.  He loved history and poetry and could quote many poems. As he put it, he enjoyed “various & sundry things”.  Tom also loved his Corvette and drove it to 48 of the 50 states.

Tom had a long career at the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office, retiring after 32 years of service as Lieutenant over the Warrant Division.  He couldn’t have loved his job more and never complained when called out at any hour of the day or night.  OPSO was a perfect fit for him and he was deeply respected in the Law Enforcement community.  In 2016, he miraculously survived a gunshot to the face and still walked in to the ER.  This did not slow him down and he was back at work in a few weeks, continuing to serve Ouachita Parish until he retired.

Tom had many health challenges the past few years, but he always managed to stay strong and keep going until the end and always had the hope of getting better so he could resume doing all the things he loved.  Even though it did not work out the way he wanted here on Earth, we have no doubt he is totally healed, walking again, and in the presence of the Lord.

Tom was a loyal and faithful husband, father, brother, uncle and friend.  He is survived by his wife, Kathy, step-sons, Aaron Rowe (Deja) and Andrew Rowe(Daphne), grandchildren Kaylee and Rory; his sisters Gay Morris and husband John, Nancy Gienger and husband Uli; sister-in-law Beverly Loveridge and husband Dave and brother-in-law Phil Parker and wife Deanni; nieces Sharon Vinyard and husband Herschel, Jennifer Reddaway and husband Mark, Allison Gienger, Laura Gienger, Elizabeth Gienger, Jennifer Loveridge, Jill Merchant and husband Josh, and nephews Jeff Joyce and wife Kathryn, Philip Parker and Landon Parker.  Tom is also survived by numerous great nieces and nephews and too many friends to mention.

Words cannot express our gratitude for the care given to Tom by Ethel Craft,Hazel Gordon, Ursula Mercer, Carolann Harrison, Roxi Marsh and Debbie Havard.  We also thank Mickey Hooks for the friendship, visits, daily calls and rides. Special gratitude goes to Sherry and Wayne Gooden for the things you constantly did for us at our home and the camp. For those who visited during especially hard times, we thank you.  Thank you to all the doctors and staff at M D Anderson Hospital and St. Francis Hospital.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude or the Ouachita Parish Animal Shelter.

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Thomas "Tom" Bryan Hargrove, please visit our Tribute Store.