Tom Schueck
by Tyler Hale
Arkansas manufacturing leader Thomas B. Schueck passed away at the age of 78 on Tuesday, March 3, according to his family.
Schueck founded Lexicon Fabricators and Constructors, which encompassed a wide range of construction-related ventures, and was the company’s former chairman. Founded in 1968, the company celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018.
Over the years, Schueck became a leader in the steel manufacturing and construction industries. His clients included the Dallas Cowboys, Amazon and more. He was named to the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame in 2017.
At the time of his death, Schueck served as the chairman of the Arkansas Highway Commission. He was appointed to the commission in 2011 by former Gov. Mike Beeebe.
Born March 22, 1941 in St. Louis, Schueck obtained a civil engineering degree from Washington University in St. Louis in 1965 and headed to Little Rock that same year to work for the company that was building Murray Lock and Dam.
After a few years, he decided to strike out on his own, creating Schueck Steel Products. The beginnings weren’t glamorous – his first office was set up in his garage and his only employee was his wife, Marge.
Patrick Schueck released a statement on behalf of his family on March 3, addressing his father’s passing.
“Tom Schueck was a force to be reckoned with— both in business and in life. A titan of the steel industry, he approached every day with determination, melding blue-collar work ethic with innovative ideas to transform a fledging small business into one of Arkansas’s largest companies,” Schueck wrote. “But above all, he was a public servant and philanthropist whose generous spirit helped countless Arkansans in their pursuit of the American dream. No matter where he was, Tom captivated others with his larger-than-life personality, sarcastic wit and intellect, and he will be sorely missed by his wife, children, grandchildren and all who knew him.”
In a statement, Gov. Asa Hutchinson praised Scheuck as a “true leader” in Arkansas’ business world, as well as a public servant.
Arkansas Money & Politics will update this story when more information becomes available.
