Thomas Hugh Elliott, IV Thomas Hugh Elliott, IV, age 66, a resident of Rogers, Arkansas, passed away Thursday, February 19, 2009 at the Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, Arkansas. Thomas was born on January 29, 1943 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Thomas H. Elliott, III and Dorothy (Raehn) Elliott. It's a long way from the French Quarter to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, but Tom Elliott made the trip. He grew up in New Orleans, where at an early age developed a keen interest in architecture and art. From his grandparents' home in the French Quarter, Tom developed a deep sense of history and the importance of preservation. Summering near Louisiana's wetlands and bayou swamps, he also learned to see the beauty in all things wild. Shortly after relocating to the Ozarks, Tom became totally absorbed in his rich and rewarding photography hobby. That hobby became his profession, and in recent years his career revolved around photography and digital imaging. National companies have used Tom's work for marketing their products to birding enthusiasts around the world. In September, 2006, he completed a three-year contract as lead photographer for Wild Bird Centers of America. Of the hundreds of images they purchased and published nationally, one particular image won three national awards for the company. This relationship led to rewarding collaborations with many others in the birding industry. Tom's photographs have appeared in forms as diverse as catalog covers and coffee mugs. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has used Tom's images in their publications and calendars. The Janet Huckabee Nature Center of Fort Smith, Arkansas has also purchased Tom's photographs for permanent display in their new facility. The renowned Cornell Lab of Ornithology selected photographs for their national bird identification event, Project Feeder Watch. Tom's photographs have also appeared in local, regional, and national publications and have been displayed in fine art galleries. Tom helped establish a curriculum in video photography and editing at the Northwest Technical Institute in Springdale, Arkansas. He was an enthusiastic and dedicated teacher and evangelist for photography and digital imaging. When he was not behind the lens, Tom could be found in the classroom of various community colleges, where he taught classes in digital photography and Photoshop. He resided in Rogers, Arkansas. He and his wife, Maggie, located to this area nine years ago from their native New Orleans where Tom, among other pursuits, engaged in a 25-year career in maritime insurance. Tom is survived by his wife Maggie, step-son Joseph DuPont, brother Fredrick Elliott, and niece McKenzie Elliott. Memorial services were held Saturday, February 28, 2009 at the Circle of Life Hospice Chapel in Springdale, Arkansas. Donations may be made to the Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, Arkansas (479) 872-3300, 901 Jones Road - Springdale, AR 72762 in honor of Thomas Hugh Elliott, IV. Under the direction of Benton County Memorial Park Funeral Home of Rogers, Arkansas. Memorial 11:00 AM Saturday, February 28th, 2009
Circle of Life Hospice Chapel