Tom Dees didn’t want a big fuss made over his contributions to what is now the city of Holiday Island.
But the truth is, without Dees’ hard work and dedication, there might not even be a Holiday Island.
Dees, the founder of Holiday Island Development Corp., died Saturday in Fayetteville. He was 83.
Dees bought the development rights to Holiday Island’s 4,500 acres for $10 million in 1990 and was the driving force in building the community that exists today.
In 2021, the veterans memorial park in Holiday Island was renamed by owners Brad and Donna Handley in honor of Dees and his wife of 60 years, Kathy.
In typical Dees fashion, he downplayed the honor.
“There’s not a single thing out here that has my name on it,” Dees said. “You don’t see my name anywhere. Somebody’s likely to throw rocks at it or tear it down tomorrow.”
At the same 2021 ceremony where the veterans memorial park was renamed in honor of Tom and Kathy Dees, they also were presented with a crystal plaque from the Holiday Island Chamber of Commerce recognizing their service to the community.
“When I think of Tom and Kathy, the first word that comes to mind is generous,” Sheila Wolf, who presented the plaque as a representative of the chamber of commerce, said that day in May 2021. “Tom would give a potential Holiday Island business owner the shirt off his back if it would convince them to come be successful as a business owner here in Holiday Island, especially because it helps fulfill his dream of building a town. As more and more families find Holiday Island … and decide to make it their home, the town that Tom built will continue to thrive and offer generations to come a safe and affordable and beautiful place to live.”
Dees is survived by Kathy, daughters Michelle Dees of Fayetteville and Angela Brenneman of Menlo Park, Calif., and five grandchildren, along with his beloved dog, Clementine.
A funeral service was held Tuesday, June 13, in the Chapel of Fellowship Bible Church in Fayetteville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Fellowship Bible Church, 3447 AR-112, Fayetteville, AR, 72704.
