Norman Eugene Gabbard

ELKINS — Norman Eugene Gabbard, 77, of Elkins stepped peacefully into eternity with Jesus on Friday, Dec. 12, 2014, at the Willard Walker Hospice House in Fayetteville. He was born May 30, 1937, in Fayetteville. He was the son of Leonard and Belle Gabbard and the grandson of Pat and Cassie Homesley of Durham. Norman grew up in Fayetteville and was a graduate of the Fayetteville High School class of 1956. He went on to study architecture at the University of Arkansas but family demands required that he leave school to work full-time. He took what he learned and left his "Fay Jones style" fingerprints on houses that he built all over the Fayetteville area. He was a pilot, farmer, contractor, artist, painter, builder, landlord and "horse trader" extraordinaire. Besides building houses, he enjoyed building and flying model airplanes in his younger years and eventually began building and flying single-engine aircraft, including several ultralights and a bi-plane. He enjoyed remodeling old houses and old cars, refinishing old furniture, and raising cattle as well. He served in the United States Navy from 1954-1968 and was a member of the Harris Baptist Church of Elkins. He loved Barbara's cooking, Gunsmoke, Razorback Football, his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids very much. He was a faithful husband and father and a loving grandfather, working hard to provide well for his family. One of his greatest joys in life was Sunday dinner with all the kids gathered around him. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Barbara; two sons, Leonard Gabbard and wife, Mary, of Fayetteville, and Greg Gabbard and wife, Loretta, also of Fayetteville; one daughter, Karen Hays and husband, David, of Prairie Grove; seven grandchildren: Melody Paschal, Kellye Hamblen, Barbara James, Amanda Mayes, Adam Gabbard, Rachel Hays and Jonathan Hays; and eight great-grandchildren; one sister, Carolyn Norman and husband, B.J., of Fayetteville; one brother, Glenn Gabbard and wife, Lois, of Appleton, Wis.; along with numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 15, at Moore's Chapel and the funeral will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at Harris Baptist Church in Elkins. Memorials may be made in lieu of flowers to the Gideon Ministry, P.O. Box 4507, Fayetteville, AR 72702-4507.