Biography: Dr. Thomas Moore Fletcher, Jr., age 92, a distinguished Little Rock neurosurgeon, died on September 16, 2020.

Dr. Fletcher was born on November 12, 1927, to Thomas Moore Fletcher, Sr. and Virginia Lee Heartsill Fletcher. Because of the 1927 flood, his birthplace was Nashville, TN. His early home was Peach Orchard Bluff near McCrory, AR in Woodruff County.  He is survived by his wife of thirty-three years, Barbara Dalrymple Fletcher. His first marriage was to Frances Loraine Bowman Fletcher who died in 1984.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Virginia Lee Burke. His younger sister, Mary Ann McGinnis, lives in Dallas, TX.
Five surviving children were born to his first marriage: Elizabeth Ann Fletcher; Susan Fletcher Smith, wife of David Smith; John Presley Fletcher, husband of Stacy Fletcher; William Steele Fletcher; and Jefferson Bowman Fletcher; all of Little Rock, AR. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Frances Ann Fletcher, and his son Thomas Moore Fletcher, III.
Grandchildren are: Madeline Igo, wife of Tim Igo,  of Atlanta, GA; Matthew Smith of Washington DC;  Jim Rogers of Austin, TX; Emily, Presley and Alex Fletcher of Little Rock, AR; Avery, Tommy and Whit Fletcher of Birmingham, AL; Natalie Fletcher of Little Rock, AR; and Kaylann Badgley of Pittsburgh, KS.

He also embraced Barbara’s children: Joseph C. (Doak) Walker, III; William (Duke) Walker, husband of Rebecca Leonard Walker; and Shea Walker Siler; all of Little Rock, AR.

Dr. Fletcher received his elementary schooling in McClelland and graduated from McCrory High School in 1944.  He graduated with honors from Louisiana State University in 1949, where he served as Chapter President of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and was a member of the honorary fraternities, Phi Eta Sigma and Mu Sigma Rho. His studies at LSU were interrupted for two years as he was drafted in 1946 into the US Army, where he obtained the rank of Sergeant.

He graduated with honors, holding the BSM and MD degree, from the University of Arkansas Medical School in 1953 and was awarded the Buchanan Key in each of his years at UAMS for the highest scholastic average in the class.  His residency in general surgery was at the St. Louis City Hospital in St. Louis, MO; and his Neurology and Neurosurgery residencies were at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York where he was appointed Chief Resident in Neurosurgery in 1960.

He considered his time in New York City from 1955 to 1960 to be the most interesting and exciting years of his life and was honored to work and train with many world-renowned physicians during his time at Columbia-Presbyterian.

Dr. Fletcher returned to Arkansas in 1961 where he received the honor of being appointed the first full time faculty member in Neurosurgery at UAMS.  His subsequent positions at UAMS included head of the Division of Neurosurgery and Assistant Professor of Surgery.  In 1966, he established his private practice of Neurosurgery where he practiced for thirty-one years until he retired in 1997.  He touched countless lives during his career as a neurosurgeon and was grateful for the faith and trust his patients placed in him.

He was a distinguished alumnus member of the Alpha Omega Alpha (National Honor Medical Fraternity), Pulaski County Medical Society, Arkansas Medical Society, American Medical Association and Congress of Neurological Surgeons.

Dr. Fletcher was a well-rounded humanitarian. He loved the patients he served, and he loved his family and friends. His appreciation and love of classical music was vast, and he enjoyed performances from the Metropolitan Opera to the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.  His thirst for knowledge was never quenched, and he could always be found working on a physics research project or reading a book from his extensive library. He and his wife traveled extensively.

One of his great passions was genealogical research and he lovingly produced a book for his children on the Fletcher Family history.  A fourth generation Arkansan, his ancestors came to Arkansas from Virginia by way of Tennessee, he descended from Scottish and English families who settled in this country in the 17^th century.
 
He was a dear and good man. His family was devoted to him and will miss him deeply. He was a dedicated LSU fan to the end.

A private burial will be held in Augusta, AR.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to Crystal Hill Baptist Church, Arkansas Baptist Children’s Home, CHI St. Vincent Infirmary Arkansas Neuroscience Institute or to the charity of your choice.