Gilbert Lafferty

Gilbert Travis Lafferty, age 82, went to be with his Heavenly Father on December 4, 2018. Mr. Lafferty was born May 10, 1936 in Springhill, Arkansas. He was married 64 years to his high school sweetheart, Linda Butler. Gilbert and Linda shared a full life together. They raised four children and built a business in Texarkana, Lafferty's TV & Appliance. Gilbert & Linda not only worked together, but also traveled, worshiped and hosted hundreds of fish fries for his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Linda Butler Lafferty, one son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Mindy Lafferty of Texarkana, Texas, three daughters and sons-in-law, Cathy and Randy Gann of Highland Village, Texas, Deana and Mike Moody of Hot Springs, Arkansas, and Donna and Tom Carr of Searcy, Arkansas. They also had eight grandchildren, Melyssa Lloyd, Mason Lafferty, Lauren Williams, Miles Lafferty, Ryan Moody, Erin Davenport, Collin Moody and Jared Davenport, fifteen great-grandchildren, two brothers and sisters-in-law, Jim and Wannell Lafferty, Bryant and Helen Lafferty, one step-sister, Diva Thomas, brother-in-law and his wife, Dale and Joanne Butler and many precious nieces and nephews. How do you describe a man like Gilbert Lafferty? His giving heart was his most outstanding characteristic. Words alone cannot describe him because it was in the life he lived his mark on his family, on the community, on all the lives he touched. His dedication to family was utmost. His love for his wife, Linda, was an example to his children, Cathy, Mark, Deana and Donna. It has been said by his former and present employees that he was the most influential man they knew. His words, as few as they were, never fell to the ground. The strengths he exemplified to all he had contact with were weighed and measured, fair and encouraging words that would build and lift you up. No one ever had needs that weren't fulfilled. He was generous with his time and his resources. His generosity extended far beyond what we know. You yourselves probably know things that Mr. Lafferty did for you that we will never know. He could have done anything in his career choice but chose to do something that could involve his family. If there was a problem with a product, he could figure it out. His intelligence and insight went beyond just fixing appliances. He knew people. His genuine ability to help those in need stretched beyond just his clients. He was a lifetime learner and enjoyed many hobbies. He was a farmer, a gardener, prodigious reader and an avid fisherman. He knew where to find the crappie and could cook them up to feed hundreds. He learned how to sail, bought a boat, and sailed it. He raised cattle on his old home place till he tired of them, and moved on to something else. As an eighty-one year old, he fought through three surgeries in a row and recovered with gusto. All to spend some more time with family, but mostly to care for the love of his life, Linda. And care for her he did. He taught us all the honor and privilege of taking care of people. Gilbert's absence will be felt by all who knew him. We will miss him and always love him. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, December 8, 2018, at Hampton Church of Christ, Texarkana, TX, with Jerry Monholland and Patrick Cannon officiating. Graveside services will be at 2:00 P.M. at Central Church of Christ Cemetery, Hope, AR, under the direction of Chapelwood Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 P.M. Friday, December 7, 2018, at Chapelwood Funeral Home.