Tom Mitchell

OZONA Tom Mitchell, a descendant of William Peery and Laura McNutt Hoover, the first pioneer ranching family to settle in Crockett County, died Sunday, Aug. 17, 2014, at his home at the age of 82. Tom was born Oct. 18, 1931, in Ozona, Texas, to John Mitchell and Myrtle Tennessee Hoover Kirkpatrick Mitchell, affectionately known as "Bobbo." They were both ranchers in Crockett, Kinney, Terrell, Val Verde and Pecos in Texas and ranches in New Mexico. Tom had two half-sisters, Mammie Kirkpatrick Daniels and Hallie Kirkpatrick Grimmer Wills Black; and one half-brother, John Arthur Kirkpatrick III, who preceded him in death, along with his parents, John and Bobbo. Tom was raised on his parents' ranches 50 miles south west of Ozona in Crockett, Val Verde, Terrell and Pecos counties. He attended the Ozona school system where he fell in love and married Marsha Ella Cunningham, affectionately known as "Tissie" to all who knew and loved her. Tom proudly served in the Strategic Air Command of the United States Air Force as a chief mechanic working on B-36 bombers during the Korean War. He and Tissie were stationed at Loring AFB, near Limestone, Maine, where they had their first child, Gary Buck, in 1956. After his stint in the Air Force, he and Tissie came home to Crockett County to ranch with his father, carrying their brand new son in a banana crate. Tom said many times, "our time in the service was the happiest times because we had each other." Tom and Tissie built their home on the ranch near Pandale and there they raised sheep, goats and crossbred cattle along with a herd of quarter horses for their remuda. In 1961, Tissie moved to Ozona so Gary Buck could attend school and her second child, Lisa Ellen, was born. In 1971, Tom and Tissie built the Big O Drive-In Theatre for the kids of Ozona. Many nights as a family were spent together operating the drive-in. Soon after in 1974, they began construction of the Circle Bar Truck Corral, which included a motel, RV park and convenience store. The Circle Bar has been a family operation since its opening in 1977, and has been recognized as one of the largest employers in Crockett County. Tom's love of engines and speed was exhibited by building and racing go-carts. Tom took his love for trucks and racing another step further by creating Circle Auto Racing, Inc. Although Mitchell's team has found its home in NASCAR, the team originated in 1978, with Circle Bar sponsoring Chet Fillip in late models. The team officially started out as Circle Bar Auto Racing Inc., with Fillip as their driver. Circle Bar Racing competed in USAC and the CART series. The team qualified for the 1982 Indianapolis 500, finishing 24th. Fillip also qualified for the 1983 Indianapolis 500. Circle Bar Auto Racing made its NASCAR debut with Fillip in 1985, in the #31 Circle Bar Truck Corral Ford at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Fillip ran 16 races for Mitchell in 1986, and had a best finish of 12th in the #81. Afterwards, Circle Bar sponsored the late model efforts of John Kelly in 1989, with the shop based in San Antonio, Texas. Moving to Ozona, the team picked up the championship in 1990. The next year, Circle Bar Auto Racing moved to the All-Pro Series with Kelly. Using Circle Bar's equipment, Crawford had great success in the All-Pro Series, beginning a partnership between Mitchell and Crawford to race in the series until 1996. In 1997, Circle Bar Racing focused its operations towards NASCAR, specifically its all-new Craftsman Truck Series. Continuing his partnership with Crawford and Ford, Mitchell debuted the #14 Ford at the Chevy Trucks Challenge in 1997, with Circle Bar sponsoring Crawford at Walt Disney Speedway in Orlando and finishing runner up to Kenny Irwin Jr. for Rookie of the Year. 1998 brought the team's first win at Homestead Miami Speedway. In 17 years of racing, Circle Bar Auto Racing ran 336 races which include five wins: Homestead Miami Speedway, Florida Dodge Dealers 250 at Daytona International Speedway, Martinsville Speedway, Loudon NH Speedway and O'Reilly Raceway Park, 75 top-five finishes, 160 top-10 finishes and six poles. There were 53,614 laps of which 1,694 were led for a total of 57,916.6 miles. Circle Bar Auto Racing team that competed in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series from 1997 to 2010; the team was most notable for its relationship with Ford Motor Company as well as its sole driver, Rick Crawford. In 1997, Circle Bar Auto Racing added a second team with driver David Starr, 2008. Brendan Gaughan was the driver of the second team in 2008, and rookie driver James Buescher in 2009. Tom's team continues to hold the series record for most consecutive starts. Even with all his good fortune, Tom recognized that the things that defined him were his character, his honesty and his integrity and never let his successes define who he was at the core. He was an eclectic individual with few words, a great sense of humor and a gruff exterior wearing worn out jeans and a dusty cowboy hat. He loved nothing more than getting his hands greasy working on engines and building his collection of Fords. He spent his days in his shop, riding his Harley and racing on the interstate. Tom's beloved Tissie preceded him in death in January 1978. He is survived by his son, Gary Buck Mitchell and wife Shawn of Ozona, their children, Michael Thomas Mitchell of Ozona, Megan Leah Mitchell of Lubbock, Ty Hunter Mitchell and wife Lissa and daughter Elizabeth McLean of San Antonio. He is also survived by his daughter, Lisa Ellen Mitchell of Sonora and her children, John Wylie Wagoner and son Tucker Kade of Sonora, Bryant Austin Wagoner and daughter Maci Ellen of Sonora, Tissie Jeanae Perez and husband Nick and daughters Ariana Jeanae and Zoey Blaise of Midland and Rose Marie Karnes of Corpus Christi. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews. A special thanks to Cody Cain and sons Talon and Tanner for their love and care for Tom. We are grateful for the kindness, care and respect provided by his caretakers and HOSA nurses Anna and Vickie, doctors and the staff of Lillian Hudspeth Memorial Hospital. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be directed to Crockett County Museum; West Texas Rehab; Hospice of San Angelo; Victory Junction Gang; or your favorite charity. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014, in Cedar Hills Cemetery, Ozona, Texas, under the direction of Kerbow Funeral Home.