AKA Miss Tessy
January 18, 1967 -
IGRA# 5000
First attended a gay rodeo in 1987
Inducted 2019
Tim Smith was born in Oak Park, Illinois on January 18, 1967. Tim is an only child, and was raised in Garland, Texas.
In high school, Tim was the school mascot, "Ollie Owl," and was nominated for Class Favorite, and voted Most Owl Spirit.
He attended Southern Methodist University, and graduated with a major in math, and a minor in dance. Following college, Tim went to work for ASA/Delta Airlines, where he remained until 2000.
Tim joined the Texas Gay Rodeo Association (TGRA) in 1987, and rapidly became involved in many areas of the association. In 1988, intent on running as a candidate for Miss TGRA 1989, he created the character Tessy. The characters of De Shannon (Mitch Gill) and Chili Pepper (Tony Valdez) were created at that time as well. Miss Tessy held the title of Miss TGRA First Runner-Up in 1989. He was also the TGRA Dallas chapter secretary for 1989.
He became the San Antonio chapter secretary in 1990, and then was relocated by Delta to Atlanta, Georgia. He quickly became involved with the local rodeo association, the Southeast Gay Rodeo Association (SEGRA), and served as their Trustee from 1992 through 1993. As though he didn't have enough on his plate, he also served as Miss SEGRA 1993. Tim, as Miss Tessy, competed for an IGRA royalty sash at the 1993 finals in Ft Worth, Texas, and was crowned Miss IGRA 1994. At the culmination of his year as Miss IGRA 1994, Tim won the Goat Dressing buckle at the rodeo finals in Denver, Colorado.
Over the years, Tim has spent an enormous amount of time and energy helping to set up royalty programs with new associations, as well as helping to revive royalty programs in older associations.
Tim met his former partner, Marcus Hood Jr, aka Boogie, in 2001, and together they raised their beautiful daughter Taylor. He purchased Buds and Blooms florist in 2008, which he has expanded and still owns today.
Tim stepped away from rodeo for a while, but was ultimately drawn back into the fray. Tim served as TGRA Vice President from 2014-2016, and TGRA President 2017-2019. He also served as Entertainment Co-Chair for World Gay Rodeo Finals for 2017 and 2018.
In 2019, Tim was certified as both an Arena Director, and a Chute Coordinator, and can be heard calling "Next rider" all over the IGRA circuit.
At the time of his induction into this Hall of Fame, Tim resides in Garland, Texas.