Inductee: Tommy Charles Price

 

Born:  September 19, 1934

Birthplace:  Mattie Price Ranch, Tatum, NM

Parents: Alvin and Mattie Price

Spouse:  Peggy J. Sullins

Children:  Charley, Sid, and Sterling

Died: April 22, 2005

Tommy Charles Price was born in the family home North of Tatum, NM. Being a grandson to Tatum pioneers, Mr. and Mrs. Russ Anderson, and was a life-long Lea County rancher. He took great pride in his home and ranch being in the family for over 100 years. He and Peggy J. Sullins were married on November 16, 1954.

Tommy was a National Champion High School Bull Rider, a National Champion High School Calf Roper, and the All-Around Cowboy runner-up for the National High School Rodeo Association.  Tommy served numerous Lea County organizations throughout his life including President of the National High School Rodeo Association, the New Mexico High School Association, Tatum, NM school board, and the Liberty National Bank Board (now Western Commerce Bank).  He was also a member of the Lea County Electric Cooperative Board and the NM Livestock Association.

A successful lifetime rancher, Tommy ran about 5,000 head of yearlings and about 400 cows on owned and leased land around the Tatum area. From Crossroads to North of Hobbs and from Caprock to North of Bronco, at the height of his career. Tommy would eat, breathe and sleep cowboy-ing throughout his life. He was an artist at working any class of cattle quickly and efficiently. Tommy was considered by many to be one of the best draggers in New Mexico. He was not only known for wearing out flankers in the branding pen but his fun-loving personality and enthusiasm made the work fun for everyone. Tommy also loved anything related to the ranching lifestyle, like roping, sharing all his knowledge with anyone who wanted to learn. There were many people that grew up in town that never would have experience the lifestyle if it wasn’t for Tommy’s heart for the traditions and patience to teach. He had a soft spot for troubled youth and took in many young adults and kids over the years, teaching them how to rope, cowboy and work hard, so they could have a better chance in life. 

Tommy’s sentiment for Lea County’s Ranching Heritage and the role he and his family had in it was most prominent in his last brag: he spoke of how privileged he was to reach the end of his life on the original homestead, and with his bed in the same place, in the same bedroom, in the same house, that his granddaddy had.