The U.S. Custom Harvesters Hall of Fame

INDUCTEES OF USCHI HALL OF FAME

Tommy Dishman, Wichita Falls, TX - (2001)

Tommy E. Dishman was nominated by Melvin (Doc) Eaker & Wade Dishman, and recommended by Charles Krajca.

Tommy E. Dishman of Wichita Falls, Texas, started harvesting at a very young age with his parents in 1943. His father, Carl, signed up with the government to get a new Massey Harris combine and a new Chevrolet truck. In return, his parents had to commit to make the complete harvest run. After harvest they would sell the equipment for more that it cost new. This was a tough time for farmers since everything, (both steel and rubber) was going into the war effort.

Tommy bought his first truck and combine in 1952 when he was only 14 years old. He borrowed the money from the bank and was able to repay the bank after one year of harvesting with his father. Tommy and his father were able to keep working together until his father had a stroke and was paralyzed in 1974. Tommy with the help of his wife Mayme and their two sons, Wade and Jim was able to manage the business until 1996, when Wade bought his first combine and truck.

Tommy ran 1-5 Massey-Ferguson machines until the harvest brigade quit making the harvest route in 1984. He has worked close with the Massey-Ferguson brigade out of Ontario, Canada, testing experimental equipment to find ideas that would better their machinery. In 1984 Tommy changed to John Deere equipment which he continues to use. The family has endured many hardships and tragedies, but has managed to continue going on harvest each and every year.

The 1979 tornado that wiped out a large section of Wichita Falls, Texas also took everything that the Dishman's owned. Everything included two houses, shops, barns, cattle, horses, fences, Harvest equipment plus all of their personal things. All that was left were the clothes they had on while in the storm cellar. He said we were fortunate as we came out of it without a scratch.

Tommy has served on the city council board for twelve years. He has been committed to helping farmers and other custom harvesters. A few years ago, he won an award from U.S. Custom Harvesters Association for cutting crops for the same farmer for the most years. Tommy harvested for Lennis (Wright) Seeding of Perryton, Texas for forty-two years. Both families won a trip to Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The 2000 harvest was his forty-eighth year of never missing a season. Tommy will continue to harvest as long as his health will allow and the work is available.