Tommy Clint Owens

Tommy Clint Owens, a true west Texas gentleman and one of the toughest cowboys around, passed from this world on Monday, October 7, 2024, at the age of 84.

Tommy was born on January 20, 1940, in San Angelo, Texas to Edith and Bode Owens. Tommy Clint was born into a strong ranching family and ranching continued to be his passion until his last days. Along with ranching, Tommy dearly loved rodeo, especially his bucking bulls.

Growing up Tommy loved roping and playing basketball. In 1958, Tommy graduated from Barnhart High School and attended Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas on a basketball scholarship. He did not initially take his horse to Sul Ross, but at Christmas break, he asked his father Pa if he could take Johnny back to college with him so he could rope. Tommy loved to tell the story when he asked, Pa said, “Yes, I think you should take Johnny back because I got your grades, and you don’t seem to be learning anything so maybe your horse will.” While at Sul Ross, Tommy was freshman, sophomore, and junior class president, as well as student council president his senior year. Tommy was also Brand King during his junior and senior years at Sul Ross.

Tommy and Edra Ann Walls married on December 14, 1963. Tommy and Edra spent their lives on the ranch in Rankin, where they raised their two children, Shanna and Cody. Tommy spent countless hours gathering, drenching, and hauling sheep, goats, and cattle all over west Texas. Tommy spent half of his life on horseback and there weren’t many things he loved more than a good horse or a rank bucking bull. Rodeo was a way of life for Tommy and his family. When Shanna and Cody were growing up Tommy and Edra drove them all over Texas and New Mexico rodeoing. So many rodeo friends were made along the way. Many times, after the rodeo was over, Tommy would pull his guitar out and he and a few of his friends would play and sing. The few friends typically turned to large crowds and “Rancho Grande” was always the request. Tommy loved to entertain anyone that would listen.

One of Tommy’s greatest accomplishments was being inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2008. In the induction ceremony, Tommy was recognized as a rodeo contestant, bullfighter, flag judge, stock contractor, and rodeo producer. In 1980, Tommy began the Circle T Rodeo Company and started producing rodeos and bull ridings. Tommy launched the Barbado Bull Riding in Rankin, Texas in 1997. 

Tommy was an active member of the community, and he loved his Rankin Red Devils and Upton County. Tommy served as County Commissioner for Pct 2 in Upton County for 28 years. He served on the Rankin Hospital Board and Bank Board for many years. He served as a 4-H leader since 1963. He was a West Texas Boy’s Ranch Wagon Boss from 1972-1975. He was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Rankin since 1974. The 4-H livestock show was dedicated to him in 1996, and Wal-Mart honored him for his service to the community in 2001. He was honored by the Upton County Historical Commission in 2006 for an outstanding family. Tommy also held the office of President of the Far West Texas Judges and Commissioners and West Texas Judges and Commissioners.

Tommy Clint was proceeded in death by his parents, Edith and Bode Owens; his sister June Scott, brother-in-law John Robert Scott; his brother Buck Owens, and ranch foreman Homer Ragland. 

Tommy is survived by the love of his life for 60 years, his wife, Edra Ann; daughter Shanna Spillers and son in law John; son Cody Owens and daughter in law Corey. He is also survived by his three favorite people, his grandkids Carter Owens, Caleb Coker and Kinley Coker. 

Honorary Pallbearers will be Bryan Skehan, Jason Hawkins, Bo Hutto, Wallace Herbert, Bob Blanford, Bud West, Sunny Yates, West Huggins, Dean Feathers, Lib Wallace, Wilbert Braden, Charlie Wright, Bill Winton, Bobby Walls, Cody Owens, John Spillers, Carter Owens, Caleb Coker, and Handley Driver.

Visitation will be held on Monday, October 14, 2024, at the First United Methodist Church in Rankin from 5:00pm until 7:00pm.

Services will be held at 11:00am on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at the Rankin Cemetery Pavilion with services officiated by Trey Johnson and music by Jake Hooker. Following the services, a meal will be held at 1:00pm at the Tommy Workman Park.

The family would welcome memorial donations to the Tommy Owens/Barbado Scholarship – P.O. Box 34, Rankin, TX 79778.