Changes

In 1986, television news anchor Barbara West produced an award-winning television mini-documentary on Blasingame.  This program introduced the then-unknown Blasingame to America when it was shown on many US stations at the time. [[Dan Rather]] then on [[CBS]], used it in his on-air tribute at the time of Blasingames's death.​

In 1986, television news anchor Barbara West produced an award-winning television mini-documentary on Blasingame.  This program introduced the then-unknown Blasingame to America when it was shown on many US stations at the time. [[Dan Rather]] then on [[CBS]], used it in his on-air tribute at the time of Blasingames's death.​

 

On March 1, 1990, Miles Teel Bevins (1947-2009), a [[Republican Party|Republican]] former Texas state Senator from Amarillo and Ambassador to [[Sweden]] during the [[George W. Bush]] administration, introduced a Senate resolution that hails Blasingame's accomplishments. Bivins, whose family has long held ranching interests in the Texas Panhandle, recalled that Blasingame personally taught Bivins as a youngster how to handle livestock.<ref>Texas State Senate, Resolution by Miles Teel Bivins of Amarillo honoring the memory of Tom Blasingame, March 1, 1990.</ref> ​

On March 1, 1990, Miles Teel Bevins (1947-2009), a [[Republican Party|Republican]] former Texas state Senator from Amarillo and Ambassador to [[Sweden]] during the [[George W. Bush]] administration, introduced a Senate resolution that hails Blasingame's accomplishments. Bivins, whose family has long held ranching interests in the Texas Panhandle, recalled that Blasingame personally taught Bivins as a youngster how to handle livestock.<ref>Texas State Senate, Resolution by Miles Teel Bivins of Amarillo honoring the memory of Tom Blasingame, March 1, 1990.</ref>

 

In 1989, Blasingame received the "Texas Trailblazer Award" at the annual Texas Ranch Roundup. It was noted that he had full days, often riding a hundred miles, and having returned to his camp house to prepare his evening meal. His only luxury was said to have been his transistor [[radio]], which he used to listen to Texas Rangers [[baseball]]. Blasingame also received the Western Heritage Wrangler Award from the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in [[Oklahoma City]], formerly known as the National Cowboy Hall of Fame. In 1986, [[Governor]] [[Mark White]] recognized Blasingame for his dedication to ranching.<ref name=PPHM/>​

In 1989, Blasingame received the "Texas Trailblazer Award" at the annual Texas Ranch Roundup. It was noted that he had full days, often riding a hundred miles, and having returned to his camp house to prepare his evening meal. His only luxury was said to have been his transistor [[radio]], which he used to listen to Texas Rangers [[baseball]]. Blasingame also received the Western Heritage Wrangler Award from the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in [[Oklahoma City]], formerly known as the National Cowboy Hall of Fame. In 1986, [[Governor]] [[Mark White]] recognized Blasingame for his dedication to ranching.<ref name=PPHM/>

 

"Tom Blasingame" is also the title of a western song with lyrics by Ian Dawson Tyson (born 1933). The composition refers to "eighty-five years in the saddle" because Blasingame began horseback riding at the age of six.​

"Tom Blasingame" is also the title of a western song with lyrics by Ian Dawson Tyson (born 1933). The composition refers to "eighty-five years in the saddle" because Blasingame began horseback riding at the age of six.

 

Blasingame's tenure at the JA Ranch partly corresponded with that of Clarence Hailey Long (190-1978), the inspiration of the original "Marlboro Man" advertising campaign.<ref name=PPHM/>​

Blasingame's tenure at the JA Ranch partly corresponded with that of Clarence Hailey Long (190-1978), the inspiration of the original "Marlboro Man" advertising campaign.<ref name=PPHM/>

 

Some six months before his death, Blasingame appeared at the first ever gathering of the American Cowboy Culture Association, which holds the annual National Cowboy Symposium and Celebration in [[Lubbock]], Texas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cowboy.org/About/History-And-Purpose|title=National Cowboy Symposium & Celebration, Inc. (Lubbock, Texas)|publisher=cowboy.org|accessdate=September 5, 2013}}</ref>​

Some six months before his death, Blasingame appeared at the first ever gathering of the American Cowboy Culture Association, which holds the annual National Cowboy Symposium and Celebration in [[Lubbock]], Texas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cowboy.org/About/History-And-Purpose|title=National Cowboy Symposium & Celebration, Inc. (Lubbock, Texas)|publisher=cowboy.org|accessdate=September 5, 2013}}</ref>​

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At Blasingame's funeral in the JA Cemetery (where Eleanor would also be interred thereafter), a tent was erected for friends and the media representatives who attended. No one had been buried in the old ranch cemetery for years, but Blasingame requested to be buried there. Cornelia Wadsworth Ritchie "Ninia" Bivins, the only child of owner and ranch manager [[Montie Ritchie]] and herself the JA heir at the time, led an empty saddle procession to the cemetery, with cowboys following her. Mrs. Bivins saddled Blasingame's gray horse and turned his second best pair of boots backwards in the stirrups, much as the military does to honor its fallen comrades by demonstrating an "empty spot" difficult to fill.​

At Blasingame's funeral in the JA Cemetery (where Eleanor would also be interred thereafter), a tent was erected for friends and the media representatives who attended. No one had been buried in the old ranch cemetery for years, but Blasingame requested to be buried there. Cornelia Wadsworth Ritchie "Ninia" Bivins, the only child of owner and ranch manager [[Montie Ritchie]] and herself the JA heir at the time, led an empty saddle procession to the cemetery, with cowboys following her. Mrs. Bivins saddled Blasingame's gray horse and turned his second best pair of boots backwards in the stirrups, much as the military does to honor its fallen comrades by demonstrating an "empty spot" difficult to fill.​

 

Western writer Linda M. Hasselstrom wrote a poem about Tom Blasingame entitled “Death of the Last Cowhand.”  It appears in her book ''Bitter Creek Junction'' (High Plains Press, 2000) and found on her website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.windbreakhouse.com/bitter_creek_junction_117231.htm|title=Linda M. Hasselstrom website|publisher=windbreakhouse.com|accessdate=December 15, 2019}}</ref>​

Western writer Linda M. Hasselstrom wrote a poem about Tom Blasingame entitled “Death of the Last Cowhand.”  It appears in her book ''Bitter Creek Junction'' (High Plains Press, 2000) and found on her website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.windbreakhouse.com/bitter_creek_junction_117231.htm|title=Linda M. Hasselstrom website|publisher=windbreakhouse.com|accessdate=December 15, 2019}}</ref>​