Tommy Dean Vanover, 74, of Nola, went to be with his Lord and Savior and his "Little Buddy" Dale on August 28, 2019. When he passed from this life, he was in his favorite spot—his back porch. His normal routine in the morning was to "talk to the Lord", watch the day begin, smoke and drink his coffee.

He was born in Springdale, AR, and grew up beside a golf course, where he picked up golf balls as a child to earn money. He learned to love golf and played a lot during his career as a welding supply salesman. In his early teens, he learned to drive big trucks. He hauled chickens and turkeys in Northwest Arkansas, even before he was legal to drive. He started riding bulls and bucking horses around this time. He came to a Lambert Rodeo, around the age of 16, in Plainview AR, and started working on the Rafter L . He was "adopted" by Betty and Burvin and Dale and Janell.

He was known for his "Gift of Gab" and his infectious laughter. If you were in the Nola neighborhood and he was on his porch visiting with a friend, you could hear him for miles.

He is survived by his daughter Jamie and Brian Smithpeters of Lowell and grandchildren Hunter and Raeghan Smithpeters.

He has been best friend to Elaine and a brother to Dale and Janell. He was Uncle Tommy to Mary Lynn, Lewis Dale, Brad, Stacey and Madison. He took over the role of Grandpa to Ethan, Lauren, Braden, Jordan and Kaleb upon Dale's death in 2011.

He was a Mason, attended Cedar Creek Church (which he dearly loved) and was a member of Elaine and Margaret's "Old Widows Club". (Only because he begged and promised to keep their lawn mowers going).

He loved God, his family, his many friends and his porch. He will be missed by so many. We hope to keep his laughter in our memories and hearts. His favorite saying to the kids will ring in their heads forever, "I love you to death, but I'm gonna whip that Butt". If you were fortunate enough to meet him, you never forgot him, his joy for life or this laugh. His belief was to just turn it over to the Lord and let HIM take care of it.

We love you.

Graveside service will be 2:00 pm Saturday, August 31, 2019 at Reed Cemetery in Story.

Arrangements by Cornwell Funeral Home Danville.