Tom Cabaniss of Texarkana, Ark., was a renaissance man with political skills who planned campaigns for prosecutors, circuit judges, mayors and state representatives.
He also served as as certified accountant, worked with the Ducks Unlimited, was a Master Gardener and was recently still growing tomatoes.
"I'm reaping the benefits of the tomatoes he grew," former state Rep. Dennis Young said.
Cabaniss died Saturday in a Texarkana hospital.
"He worked behind the scenes and helped a lot of people, not just in politics, but helped people to get involved in the community," Young said.
Everything was above board and truthful with Cabaniss, Young said.
"He was one of the smartest people I've known. He had a brilliant mind and kept records of the voting trends. He will be truly missed by many and not just for his political involvement. He worked with Ducks Unlimited in the local and state chapters and the Jaycees," Young said.
Cabaniss was in failing health in the last eight to nine months. He didn't dwell on it and you almost wouldn't know he was ill," Young said.
He liked to talk politics.
"I had many discussions with him politically in nature and personally in nature, The discussions would be a wide variety of subjects," said Carlton D. Jones, Miller County Circuit Judge Division 1.
"He was very interested in the community and was a community-oriented person. He wanted what was best for the community at large and Texarkana, Ark., in particular," Jones said.
Cabaniss used his accounting skills to keep track of political trends in the county.
"He loved politics, and people would come to him for advice. People would bounce ideas off of him. He was a political manager. He was astute in keeping numbers of where people voted and trends," said Brent Haltom, Miller County Circuit Judge Division 2.
Cabaniss served as the foreman of a grand jury in 1985 regarding Miller County politics.
The Texarkana Gazette reported in 1985, "The Miller County Grand Jury indicts the county judge, three road contractors and an election worker. None of the charged led to any convictions, but the county judge resigned and the grand jury issued recommendations aimed at curbing future abuses."
He helped organize campaigns from putting out signs to raising money.
"Tom was good and always predicted the numbers before a vote. It was uncanny how close he was to the votes," Haltom said.
"He was a great friend and a good mentor. A lot of tears will be shed. He had a wonderful life and it was fun and it was good to know him," he said.
Cabaniss was also protective of nature through his membership with Ducks Unlimited.
"He was like a founding father of Ducks Unlimited in Texarkana. He helped start it and developed a game plan," said James Morphew, Region 8 chairman.
"He never wavered in protecting the duck habitats and the ducks," Morphew said.
Texarkana, Ark., Mayor Ruth Penney-Bell said Cabaniss worked behind the scenes.
"Tom was a lot better than he thought he was and he knew how to handle a campaign," she said.
"He interviewed me to see if I would be a good candidate," Penney-Bell said.
"He touched more lives than you can imagine, she said.
