Tommy Rex Mitchell, 72, fought the good fight and finished his race on Tuesday evening, April 23, 2024, at the Moore County Hospital in Dumas, TX. Tommy was baptized into Jesus Christ at FCC Texhoma and became a faithful servant from the young age of 10. His child-like faith would remain throughout his life as he worked diligently to lead others into a saving relationship with Jesus.

The son of Duane Cornelsen Mitchell and Anita Yvonne (Daniel) Mitchell, Tommy Rex was born March 1, 1952, at Memorial Hospital of Texas County in Guymon, OK. A third-generation graduate of Texhoma High School, Tommy graduated with the class of 1970, where he made friendships that lasted a lifetime. Upon graduation from THS, Tommy attended Oklahoma Panhandle State University, where he graduated in May of 1974 with a BS in Animal Science. On the heels of his college graduation, on June 1, 1974, Tommy married the love of his life, the rancher's daughter, Cathy Miller, in Boise City, OK. Tommy and Cathy made their home in Texhoma, where Tommy worked hard pursuing his farming and ranching passion. Tommy was a businessman, and even in his early twenties, he was a visionary with an eye for good cattle, a passion for straight rows, and a drive for excellent yields.

On April 16, 1976, Tommy and Cathy welcomed their first child, a son, Michael Brady. In the spring of 1977, this young family of three would return to Tommy's childhood home 3 miles east of Texhoma, which would once again be home sweet home, not only to Tommy this time, but now to his growing family, as well. The following year, on December 31, 1978, the Mitchell's would welcome a second son, Jamey Bryan. Their family unit was now complete and oh the life his family would have. Tommy was a man of conviction, and he instilled a deep level of spiritual commitment into his family circle. Church is not only a place where you go, the church is who you are (1 Corinthians 6:19). Sunday is a day set aside for the Lord, you don't go your own way, and you don't do as you see fit—you honor God on his holy day (Isaiah 58:13). It does no good to gain the whole world yet forfeit your soul (Mark 8:36). Time is of the essence to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20). Don't you guys forget, the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few (Matthew 9:37). It's vital to spend our efforts and our resources on the youth of Texhoma to train up our children in the way they should go, and when they are old, they will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6). It is imperative to teach our kids to be #SetApart (1 Timothy 4:12). Loving the Lord and keeping His commands will impact your family for generations to come (Exodus 20:6).

Tommy worked in a variety of both service and leadership capacities over his 72 short years, but his fondest memories stem from being behind a microphone. Tommy was the voice of the Texhoma Red Devils and loved announcing football games, especially for his namesake, his cherished grandson, number 12, Trenton Thomas. A superb auctioneer, who worked hard for his customers to achieve top dollar, while engaging the crowd to stay in the race all the way to the top—if people were selling something, they wanted Tommy on their team. Tommy was co-owner and operator of T&T Auction Service and worked as an auctioneer at numerous sale barns in the area: Dalhart, TX; Clayton, NM; Guymon, OK; and the Texhoma Livestock Exchange (TLX) in Texhoma, OK. Tommy volunteered his time to serve as the auctioneer for numerous 4H & FFA premium sales, labor auctions, cake/pie auctions, and anything else he could do to help the kids raise money for their projects. An avid Oklahoma State fan, he was a student of the game and loved having conversations about the Cowboys, who might be a rising star and what next season might hold.

A man of many vocal talents, his favorite moments behind the mic came but once a week. For over 30 years, Tommy led worship at FCC Texhoma and was instrumental in creating the FCC praise band in the early 1990's. That year, after leading a group of high school students to Christ in Youth and experiencing a contemporary style of praise and worship used to reach the next generation of Christ followers, Tommy took it upon himself to make it happen at the local level. Countless people have been impacted because of his efforts. In only a way God could  orchestrate, on April 7, 2024, his last Sunday at church, he was weak, he was hurting, and he was tired, but he refused to stay home, and he didn't complain. Rather, he drove to church, he walked in, he had to grab a stool and set down on stage this time to lead the church and the people he loved for one final Sunday. From a position of humility and physical weakness, you couldn't miss the message—the message he had taught for years. Church leadership is vital, it's consistent, and it happens week after week, even if your race is nearing its end. Tommy was the FCC Chairman of the Board and he would be the first to tell you that he was imperfect and in need of forgiveness just like everyone else. What he didn't need to tell anyone is that he was a leader, he was faithful, he was committed to Christ, and that is all he wanted for you and for me—it was evident for all to see!

Tommy was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Fred Miller (2005), his mother-in-law, Emma Miller (2019), brother, Bret Mitchell (2019), his mother Yvonne Mitchell (2020), his father Duane Mitchell (2023), his brother Bob Mitchell (2023).

He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Cathy Mitchell. On June 1st Tommy and Cathy would have celebrated their 50th anniversary – how he had longed to celebrate that special day with his family. He is also survived by his sons, Brady Mitchell, and wife Kristi, and Jamey Mitchell, and wife Chelsey, all of Texhoma, OK; grandson Trenton Mitchell, and wife Savannah, of Stillwater, OK; granddaughters Emma Mitchell, Allie Mitchell, and Maddie Mitchell, all of Texhoma, OK; sister Carmen Harland, and husband Kenny, of Hulbert, OK; sister-in-law Jeanne Cope, and husband Lin, of Texhoma, OK; niece Ashley Lanman, and husband Kenny, of Edmond, OK; nephew, Zach Harland, and wife Ashley, of  Tahlequah, OK; nephew Bryce Mitchell, of Aubrey, TX; nephew Ben Mitchell, and wife Kati, of Texhoma, OK: niece, Kallie (Cope) Allan, and husband Keith of Houston, TX; nephew Luke Cope, of Guymon, OK; (10) great nieces and nephews; a kind and loving church family; and a host of friends.

Funeral services will be conducted on Monday, April 29th at 10:00am at the First Christian Church of Texhoma with Dr. Buddy Young officiating. Burial will follow at the Texhoma Cemetery. Memorials in support of the First Christian Church – Summit Youth Ministries are being accepted at the Bunch-Roberts Funeral Home, PO Box 1112, Guymon, OK 73942.