Biography:

Thomas B. “Tom” Schueck, 78, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away on March 3, 2020. He was a man who positively impacted the lives of countless individuals and made our community and state a better place to live. Tom was blessed with a love of learning as well as a drive and determination to succeed at any endeavor that lay before him. He pursued everything with passion, whether it be work, fishing, hunting, or the Razorbacks. To those who knew him, he will forever be remembered as a man who made a true difference in this world. 

Tom was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on March 22, 1941, to Loretta and Arthur Schueck, both of whom predeceased him. He is survived by many family members whom he held dearly in his heart. Tom was blessed with a devoted wife of 53 years, Marge; a daughter, Jennifer S. McCarty, and her husband, Mark, of Little Rock; a son, Patrick T. Schueck, of Little Rock; five wonderful grandchildren, Caroline McCarty, Harrison McCarty, Mason Schueck, Ava Schueck, and Hayden Schueck, all of Little Rock; and a sister, Pat Ahrens, of North Port, Florida. 

Tom grew up in a blue-collar neighborhood on the south side of St. Louis. After high school, he got a job working for a local construction company, which inspired him to pursue an engineering degree. Tom applied for and was accepted into the engineering program at Washington University and completed his studies there in 1965 with a degree in civil engineering. 

After graduation, Tom and Marge married and moved to Little Rock for Tom to work on the Murray Lock and Dam project. Tom later became a successful factory representative for various steel products. In 1968, he took this knowledge and formed Schueck Steel Products in his garage based on the principle of providing superior service at a fair price. Today, his company, Lexicon Fabricators and Constructors is one of the leading heavy fabrication and construction companies in the nation, encompassing four divisions with approximately 2,000 employees. Tom’s accomplishments led to him being honored with numerous awards, including the Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International (2013); Sidney M. Brooks Fellow of the Rotary Club of Little Rock Club 99 Foundation (2013); Rotary Business & Professional Leader of the Year (2013); and Arkansas Business Hall of Fame (2017). When receiving any recognition, Tom was quick to point out the success he and Lexicon had experienced would not have been possible if not for the hard work and dedication of his many loyal employees. 

Tom leveraged his success in business to help others, givingboth his time and his resources to his employees and the greater Arkansas community. Tom generously shared Lexicon’s profits with personnel and routinely helped employees and their families in need. In addition, he and the Schueck Family Foundation have been long-time supporters of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children’s, Baptist Health Foundation, St. Vincent’s Foundation, Indiana University Cancer Research, UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Moog Center for Deaf in St. Louis, University of Arkansas Foundation, UA Little Rock Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service, Razorback Foundation, Heifer International, AEDC Foundation, Clinton Foundation, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, P.A.R.K., Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Pulaski County, Watershed Human and Development Agency, Our House, and many others. 

In addition to his charitable work, Tom tirelessly served on many commissions and boards. At the time of his death, he was the chairman of the Arkansas State Highway Commission and a board member of the Arkansas Industrial and Economic Development Foundation and The Nature Conservancy in Arkansas. He was also an active member of American Institute of Steel Contractors, Arkansas Society of Mechanical Engineers, and Arkansas Manufacturers Association. Tom previously served on the Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission; Arkansas Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission; Little Rock Progress Committee; and Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission. He had previously been a board member of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, Little Rock Boys & Girls Club, and UAMS Foundation. 

Please join us at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 8, 2020, at Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Dr., Little Rock, AR 72227 for a celebration of life service. A reception will follow the service at Little Rock’s Pleasant Valley Country Club. Ruebel Funeral Home will handle arrangements. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Tom’s memory to UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute (UAMS Institutional Advancement #716, Little Rock, AR 72205), Our House (302 E. Roosevelt Road, Little Rock, AR 72206), or the Schueck, McCarty, Lexicon, Inc. Dean’s Endowed Fund, UALR Office of Alumni and Development (2801 S. University Ave., Little Rock, AR 72204).