Thomas Vance Tarkenton, 75, of Roper, passed away on Sunday, December 31, 2023, at Washington Regional Medical Center in Plymouth.
Born in Washington County he was the son of the late Zebulon Vance Tarkenton and Lula Margaret Spruill Leary. Thomas retired from Weyerhaeuser Corporation as a crane operator with 42 years' service. He was a member of Perseverance Lodge No. 59 AF & AM, a retired fireman with Roper Volunteer Fire Department and a member of Zions Chapel Church of Christ.
His family includes his loving wife, Rita Hassell Tarkenton of Roper, NC; daughters, Chrystie Tarkenton Smith and husband Justin of Plymouth, NC and Amber Tarkenton McMullen and husband Doug of Jamesville, NC; sisters, Cindy T. Coker of Roper, NC and Patricia T. Benditz of Louisville, TN; brother, Nevis Leary of Roper, NC; grandchildren, Gracen Phelps and husband Jared, Ashtyn McMullen, Carter Stowe, Wesley Stowe, Robby Smith and Charley Smith and great grandchild, Landry Phelps.
Funeral service will be held Thursday, January 4, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Zions Chapel Church of Christ in Roper with Edwin Smith, Ronnie Casper and Eddie Bowen officiating. Family will receive friends on Thursday from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. at Zions Chapel Church of Christ prior to the service and other times at the residence. Burial will follow at Hillside Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Roper Volunteer Fire Department at .PO Box 316, Roper, NC 27970.
Arrangements are by Maitland Funeral Home, Plymouth.
,