Thomas B. Furlow

Thomas "Tommy" Bernard Furlow at the age of 68 years old went to be with the Lord January 26, 2022 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Rose-Neath Southside Funeral Home located on 2500 Southside Drive, Shreveport, LA 71118. Tommy was born September 30, 1953 in Pineville, LA. He attended Woodlawn High School. He spent the last 29 years working for the IBEW Local 611 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Tommy was a carefree spirit at heart, loved the open road and traveling the country for work. He never met a stranger, never minded loaning a dollar and was a generous and loyal friend to so many. The true love of his life was his family in Shreveport, namely his daughter, "Valerie Anne" or "Little Girl" as he liked to call her. He burned up many a road traveling back and forth between Albuquerque and Shreveport to spend as much time as he could with his family. Shreveport was always "home" to him, a soft place to land, and the roots that he yearned to be surrounded by. But, Albuquerque was his physical home for the past 35 years, and his life there always called him back. Just prior to his passing, he purchased his own residence in Shreveport in hopes of returning. Oh how we wished we could've had more precious moments with him in Shreveport. Tommy was lovingly known as "Grumpy" to his grandchildren. Their favorite memories with him are patrolling the neighborhood on the golf cart and to make Icee runs, patio shenanigans, pool time, and playing on their swing set that Grumpy bought them. He felt most at home sitting outside and telling stories, watching a good murder mystery and relished in a rumbling Louisiana storm. Grumpy always cut loose and danced like no one was watching, a trait shared by grandson, Copeland. Those who know him will never forget his "tee hee hee" laugh when he got tickled. Material things were not impressive to him; he only wanted to be in the company of family and friends. To know him was to love him and all of his antics. He was the life of the party and kept us all laughing. Tommy is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas O. and Syble Jones Furlow, foster parents, Glenn and Ruth Arndt, brothers, Darvis Furlow and Louis "Brad" Vinson. Left to cherish his memory is his only child and his crowning glory in life, Valerie Anne Furlow Gamble and husband, Kevin, Jr.; grandchildren Cameron Shamsie, Peyton Gamble, Copeland Gamble and Corinne Gamble; brothers, Bill Furlow, Mike Furlow, Jerry Furlow, and sister, Sarah (Sissy) Furlow and foster sister, Gloria Ballou. There is a special family in the life of Tommy, the Huey P. and Iris McCoy family. The McCoy\'s took Tommy under their wing in his teens and forged a lifelong nonblood, but family bond that is nothing short of magical. Huey and Iris started babysitting daughter Valerie when she was just weeks old. Their whole extended family has constantly kept Tommy, Valerie and family in their life for almost 50 years. A special thank you belongs to Stephen McCoy for delivering Tommy's eulogy and being his dearest friend. A true giver at heart, Tommy donated annually to St. Jude Children's Research Center. Memorial donations can be made in his name at http://giftfunds.stjude.org/ThomasBFurlow or by mail at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105. For the family and friends who can not be with us, we invite you to join ZOOM live stream on Saturday, March 12, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. CST. Click on the link below. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85894699365?pwd=YXJ5UHY1b1JqcW9CUkNNVUx6SVBMZz09