Honorary Member
John Mehaffey
John Mehaffey was born and raised in Breckenridge, Texas. He was very
active in 4-H and FFA and enjoyed many projects including lambs, breeding
sheep steers and heifers. He also participated in livestock judging, dairy judging,
grass ID range judging and land judging. Additionally, John was honored to serve
as President on the Breckenridge FFA Chapter in 1967-68.
Involvement with Hereford cattle began in 1962 when John’s Dad, Robert
E. Mehaffey and Edwin Sayre established Sayre-Mehaffey Cattle Company.
Commercial Hereford cows were utilized in the cow-calf operation and
Registered Hereford Bulls. These bulls were purchased from Aubrey Garner in
Honey Grove, Texas. John was involved in all aspects of the operation and
especially enjoyed helping to make decisions regarding breeding and herd
health.
Heifer projects led to cow calf projects and soon John had a small herd of
registered Hereford cattle. After graduation from Breckenridge High School in
1968, John attended Texas A&M University as a pre-vet major but those plans
were put on hold following a severe automobile accident in October 1968. Having
18 months of physical therapy in Abilene required his education to continue at
Cisco Junior College where he earned an Associate degree in 1970. John then
returned to Texas A&M to complete his degree. In 1971, John married his
sweetheart, Dorothy Phillips, who had just graduated from Texas Christian
University. Proceeds from bull sales were used to purchase Dorothy’s wedding
rings and the home they lived in while John attended Veterinary School at Texas
A&M University. In 1974 John completed his degree. Shortly after he was hired
as an associate veterinarian at Southside Veterinary Clinic in Fort Worth, Texas
where he practiced and eventually owned the practice for many years.
John and Dorothy are blessed with four children, Shannon, Sara, John
Michael and Suzanne who were all active in showing barrows, steers, horses and
lambs. Shannon and Sara began their show careers and were very successful
with Hereford steers purchased from E.P. Chastain at Mockingbird Hill Ranch.
Sara was most active in showing quarter horses at halter. John Michael was
extremely active and successful in showing barrows and Suzanne showed
barrows and was very successful playing softball.
John and Dorothy are extremely proud of their four children and are active
in family activities. As five grandchildren came along, it was a natural progression
they would be involved in showing and Herefords. Granddaughter Mallorie
Phelps has been extremely successful in showing Hereford heifer, bulls, steers
and cow calf pairs. Her brother Garrett has also shown Hereford steers and
heifers. The other three grandchildren are still very young but could become
more involved in the future.
John is active in many professional organizations including the American
Veterinary Medical Association, Texas Veterinary Medical Association, Tarrant
County Veterinary Medical Association, and Dairy Shrine Association. The family
worships at University Christian Church where John has been an Elder. John is a
mentor and sponsor for Hubbard Heights Elementary School where he
participates in educational programs for the students including bringing livestock
and reading to the students. In 2015, he chaperoned 90 fifth graders on a tour to
Texas A&M University. As a 4-H leader in Johnson county, John has volunteered
with meat judging, livestock judging, poultry, swine and veterinary science
projects. Additionally, he served as president of the Johnson County 4-H Booster
Club for several years.
John has also been active in the Hereford community as a Vice President
of the Executive Board of the Texas Hereford Association for several years. His
duties included being on several Sale Committees including the Cowtown Select
Sale and The Hereford Female Replacement Sale. As an adult advisor for the
Texas Junior Hereford Association, John has enjoyed working with the future
leaders of the breed and watching them grow and develop their leadership skills.
John has thoroughly enjoyed his involvement with the Hereford breed and
the wonderful people associated with the industry. Many lifelong friendships have
been forged through Hereford cattle and the Hereford family will always occupy a
warm place in his heart.