The Gold Buckle Gala is always the kickoff party to the Ozark Empire Fair. Each year the event recognizes the efforts of southwest Missouri 4-H and FFA livestock exhibitors who have qualified for the auction, and to award youth grants and scholarships.
This year for the Gold Buckle Gala I was asked to interview the recipients of the 2014 Pioneer Award, Tom and Juliette Kissee. I really enjoyed visiting with the Tom and Juliette as they shared their story with me and I’d like to share part of their story with you.
Tom was raised on a farm in Ozark, Mo. His father was an order buyer for Swift and Company out of St. Louis, Mo., at the time. At 8 years old Tom began showing steers and later joined FFA. In 1954, as a young man Tom started working at the Springfield Livestock Market.
Juliette (Williams) grew up on a dairy farm in Springfield. Her family milked 130-150 Holstein cows making them one of the largest dairy operations in the state at the time. Juliette’s family also owned Cloverleaf Creamery delivering door-to-door. She started showing diary cattle at 8 years old through 4-H.
After getting married Tom and Juliette moved to Ozark to take over Tom’s family farm. The couple has been married for 58 years. In 1996 Tom and Juliette moved to their current farm in Billings, Mo. They have three children; Tonto Kissee, of Springfield, Julie Herzog of Texas and Kelly Postin of Georgia. They are the proud grandparents of five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Over the years showing cattle and attending fairs has become a big part of the Kissee family tradition. “I’ve only missed one year at the Ozark Empire Fair,” stated Juliette. “That year polio was bad so dad pulled us out of the show.” At 16 years old, Juliette exhibited the Grand Champion Holstein with a 16-year-old cow at the OEF.
Juliette reminisced, “Back then you stayed at the Fair the entire 10 days. The fair was a family thing. It was a vacation. After showing at Ozark Empire Fair then we’d go show at the State Fair. After completing our chores, we would get cleaned up and visit in the barns. We didn’t get to ride the carnival rides much.”
Tom and Juliette passed their love for cattle shows to their children. All three children won numerous championships at the local, state and national levels. Their daughter, Kelly, exhibited the first Grand Champion Crossbred Steer at OEF. Four of their grandchildren have shown and been successful at OEF.
Juliette recalled, “The biggest change I’ve seen with the breeds is frame size and numbers. Dairy was really big in the late 1940s. It was just so beautiful to see that many dairy cattle lined up and tied under the bleachers.”
Tom and Juliette have continued to support youth in agriculture. Juliette served as a 4-H Beef Leader, volunteered at the Fair as the Brown Swiss superintendent for many years and helps in the Foundation concession stand.
Tom and Juliette have sponsored the Gold Buckle Gala since its inception. “It’s so important for all the kids. I like to help push the kids and keep youth interested in the ag field,” said Juliette.
