Tim LaTourette, Fay Jones School Woodshop Director, Instructor, Dies at Age 59

Russell Cothren

Tim LaTourette

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Timothy F. LaTourette, 59, woodshop director and instructor at the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the University of Arkansas, passed away Monday, April 4, 2016.

A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at Ken and Linda Sue Shollmier Hall, in Vol Walker Hall, on the University of Arkansas campus. Cremation arrangements are by Beard's Funeral Chapel and Crematory in Fayetteville.

LaTourette taught Furniture Design and ran the design shop at the Fay Jones School, where he was admired and respected by students, faculty and staff alike. He had worked in the school since 2003, and he devoted many extra hours to mentoring and inspiring his students, many of whom discovered a love of woodworking through his class.

"Tim LaTourette was a valued friend, a dedicated instructor, a talented and accomplished craftsman, and a vital member of the Fay Jones School's community … and his humor, goodwill and generosity of spirit characterized every day he was in the school. He will be deeply missed and just as fondly remembered here," said Dean Peter MacKeith. "His family's words describe him best: 'He thrived on acquiring new skills, usually ones difficult to master. His most recent, guitar making, is a testament to his drive, determination and natural talent. He packed his life full, no time was wasted, and he accomplished more in his 59 years than anyone can hope for. His commitment to all that he did was extraordinary.'"

LaTourette was a graduate of Northern Highlands Regional High School in Allendale, New Jersey, and he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Colorado State University in Fort Collins and a Master of Fine Arts in printmaking from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His art, furniture and prints are held in numerous private collections and have been widely exhibited. In fall 2013, he received an individual artist fellowship in Creating Contemporary and Traditional Crafts from the Arkansas Arts Council in recognition of his artistic excellence.

LaTourette was born Dec. 28, 1956, in Suffern, New York, and is a former resident of Champaign, Illinois, and a longtime resident of Fayetteville. He died suddenly April 4 from cardiac arrest.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Aileen B. and William I. LaTourette, his infant brother Mark, and his nephew Reuben Cohen. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Rebecca, and his son, Hunter, who is a Dean's List student who will graduate this May from Washington University in St. Louis. He is also survived by his siblings, Aileen M. LaTourette, William C. LaTourette, Amelie E. LaTourette, Adele H. LaTourette and Thomas J. LaTourette, as well as a large and extended family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to: Timothy LaTourette Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Lane Schmidt, Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design, 120 Vol Walker Hall, 1 University of Arkansas, Fayetteville 72701.

Online condolences can be made through Beard's Funeral Chapel.